B4Literacy: Books Before Birth and Beyond

Stress: Not Just for Teachers

2012-02-08T05:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,
When school budgets are cut, it causes stress on students as well as teachers because it creates a negative classroom environment according to a new study from The Wall Street Journal. According to the article over 10,000 first graders whose teachers are fatigued and short on materials and supplies will show more signs of stress. If the teacher feels disrespected in the classroom or by co-workers, the teacher also has more behavioral and emotional problems. The study attributes the additional tension and frustration from teachers to be because of the lack of resources or because of "dilapidated surroundings and insufficient materials symbolically devalue children in those spaces."
Stress in any form is not healthy for teacher, parent or child.
http://blogs.edweek.org

Words of Praise for Children

2012-01-25T06:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Wow!, Great Job!, Incredible! These are words that can be spoken to your child to encourage them. Children need lots of praise and encouragement from parents so open the flood gates and give them lots of praise. Be honest, children know if you are not, they can hear it in your voice.

Hear is a list of words for you to use:

WOW - WAY TO GO - SUPER - YOU'RE SPECIAL - OUTSTANDING - EXCELLENT - GREAT - GOOD - NEAT - WELL DONE - REMARKABLE - I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT - I'M PROUD OF YOU - FANTASTIC - SUPERSTAR - NICE WORK - LOOKING GOOD - YOU'RE ON TOP OF IT - BEAUTIFUL - NOW YOU'RE FLYING - YOU'RE CATCHING ON - NOW YOU'VE GOT IT - YOU'RE INCREDIBLE - BRAVO - YOU'RE FANTASTIC - HURRAY FOR YOU - YOU'RE ON TARGET - YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY - HOW NICE - HOW SMART - GOOD JOB - THAT'S INCREDIBLE - HOT DOG - DYNAMITE - YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL - YOU'RE UNIQUE - NOTHING CAN STOP YOU NOW - GOOD FOR YOU - I LIKE YOU - YOU'RE A WINNER - REMARKABLE JOB - BEAUTIFUL WORK - SPECTACULAR - YOU'RE SPECTACULAR - YOU'RE DARLING - YOU'RE PRECIOUS - GREAT DISCOVERY - YOU'VE DISCOVERED THE SECRET - YOU FIGURED a OUT - FANTASTIC JOB - HIP, HIP, HURRAY - BINGO - MAGNIFICENT - MARVELOUS - TERRIFIC - YOU'RE IMPORTANT - PHENOMENAL - YOU'RE SENSATIONAL - SUPER WORK - CREATIVE JOB - SUPER JOB - FANTASTIC JOB - EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE - YOU'RE A REAL TROOPER - YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE - YOU ARE EXCITING - YOU LEARNED IT RIGHT - WHAT AN IMAGINATION - WHAT A GOOD LISTENER - YOU ARE FUN - YOU'RE GROWING UP - YOU TRIED HARD - YOU CARE - BEAUTIFUL SHARING - OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE - YOU'RE A GOOD FRIEND - I TRUST YOU - YOU'RE IMPORTANT - YOU MEAN A LOT TO ME - YOU MAKE ME HAPPY - YOU BELONG - YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND - YOU MAKE ME LAUGH - YOU BRIGHTEN MY DAY - I RESPECT YOU - YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME - THAT'S CORRECT - YOU'RE A JOY - YOU'RE A TREASURE - YOU'RE WONDERFUL - YOU'RE PERFECT - AWESOME - A+ JOB - YOU'RE "A-OK", MY BUDDY - YOU MADE MY DAY - THAT'S THE BEST - A BIG HUG - A BIG KISS - SAY I LOVE YOU - P.S. REMEMBER, A SMILE IS WORTH 1,000 WORDS.

Words of praise compliments of Chaner Hospital of Dallas

Saying I Love You

2012-01-22T05:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

How often do you tell your children, spouse and others "I love you"? Everyone needs to know that they are loved and appreciated. Tell your children everyday that you love and appreciate them. No matter the age of the child, they still want to be loved and shown love. I realized this when I heard an adult say that they wished they could get a hug from their mom. Let your child know they are loved no matter what the age baby, toddler, young adult, and adult.

That let me know that hugs are important no matter what the age. So how about a hug? Show and tell your children that you love them. Did you know that research shows that if young children are deprived of the physical touch and affection that they often fail to thrive. The older your child gets they will want to be shown love and affection in different ways. When my son was in Junior High School, I had to get my hugs at home because he would not hug me before he got out of the car at school (an every day occurance when he was in grade school). You have to know what type of affection your child wants to give and accept at the various ages.

Sometimes my daughter will walk up to me and give me a hug. When I ask her why she remarks, Ma I love you. This of course warms my heart. I eagerly accepts these hugs when I get them because I remember when I had to go and get the hugs from my son. Hopefully girls are different from boys and continue to show love and affection.

Communication Skills - Tell Me More

2012-01-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

One of my favorite times of day is when I pick my daughter up from school and she talks about her day. Tell me more I always say to encourage her to continue talking and laughing as she describes how her classmate made her laugh in the lunchroom. Tell me more, I say as she tells me the punchline to the new joke she heard today.

The words Tell Me More lets your child know that you are listening to them and you care about what they have to say. As a parent you always want to keep the lines of communication open between you and your child.

I can determine if the day was a good day or a not so good day because the conversation continues until we arrive at home. The not so good days are the ones when I have to pry information out of her. On these days, I eventually do most of the talking because I have to explain how to handle a certain situation.

Don't forget to say "Thanks"

2012-01-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Teach your children the value of saying Thank-you, and as parents we should practice saying these words of expression to our children and others, too.

I recently experienced an illness where all I could do was stay in the bed. My daughter was there to help me recover. She fed me a sandwich and poured tea in the bottle cap for me to drink. I was amazed at how attentive and caring she was to my physical needs. She made sure that no one disturbed me while I was ill. She deserves a million thanks for her thoughtfullness.

When I asked her why she stayed by my bedside and cared for me she answered, "Mom that is how you care for me when I am sick to make me feel better." Remember my post about parents being examples? Children are watching your actions at all times.

Teach Confidence -You Can Do It!

2012-01-13T06:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

How do you teach confidence in your child?

Tell your child that you can do it. No matter what they are trying to accomplish, let them know that you support them. This expression of confidence in them will let them know that they can accomplish many things without your help. This is important in building self-confidence now and later in life. As your child faces life's challenges and grows older, a parent's words of encouragement can be what the child relies on and remembers in order complete the difficult tasks rather than giving up.

What will you teach your child this year?

2012-01-11T06:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,
Happy New Year!

I love this time of year because the old year has passed, all of the items on my to do list that were incomplete have been revised, revisited and added to my list of things to do for the new year.

I always like to start my year with a list of things to teach my children. Did you know as a parent you teach your children in several different ways?

One of my ah ha moments occurred when I was teaching my son to drive and I told him to stop speeding, his reply was "Momma, you speed." Speeding with your children in the car, not a good example as parent. I made sure I did not speed and I obeyed all of the traffic signals and signs when my children were in the car.

The lessons you teach your child will be with them for the rest of their lives. So why not teach them ethics which will lead to good character. Your character will be with you forever. Parents are the examples for children to pattern themselves after. So as a parent it is important for you to be a good role model for your children.

This month my posts will talk about good character traits, ways to encourage your child, teaching good work ethics, words for you to use to instill confidence, self-respect, and thoughtfulness in your children.

Quote of the Day

2011-10-25T06:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”
- Confucius

Scholarships for College - Emerson Fellowship

2011-09-24T01:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers

Applications are encouraged from candidates reflecting diverse personal, educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds.

This is the perfect scholarship for students who want want to spend a year fighting hunger and poverty with a tight-knit community of emerging leaders? This is a program that will shape and implement local anti-hunger programs all over the U.S., and then research and provide support for national policy initiatives in Washington, D.C.

For more information visit the website below: www.hungercenter.org/hunger
.

Factors that interfere with learning

2011-08-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Every child is different and learns at a different rate. Parents realize that there are other factors that may interfere with learning. These factors are medical, social, emotional, behavioral, home environment stress, learning style, learning impairment. Medical can sometimes be resolved with a pair of glasses or medication for allergies. Socially a child will be learning how to fit in with peers as they advance from grade to grade. School counselors and peer groups can help to build bridges for students. Emotional and behavioral issues can be hurdles for students and parents which may require outside counseling or intervention. Stress from the home environment come in all forms from a death in the family to an illness or divorce. There are a variety of books on many subjects that can help children. How a child learns is very important, parents do you know your child’s learning style? Lastly, learning impairments that interfere with a child’s learning should be addressed at an early age. Build a strong vocabulary with your children will help to alleviate problems later
Just remember parents, if a child struggles early does not mean that the child will always struggle. Find ways, games, activities, other siblings or family members to help them in the areas where they are struggling.
My motto is: I have been through K-12th grade and I made it so I can help you (my child).

Parental Involvement Boost academics

2011-08-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers
Ten years ago, parents were not as involved with their young children as they are today. Research has shown that the parental involvement could boost a child's academic career later in life.

American parents and children are spending more time together by playing, reading, education and eating dinner. Parents are becoming more aware of how important parental involvement and reading with children are to school readiness and success.
Research also shows that quality time between parents and children can have a big effect on development and academic progress.

The Census Bureau found:
• Parents overwhelmingly reported that they not only want, but expect, their children to graduate from high school and college. While fewer than half of low-income parents in 1998 expected their children to graduate from college, 54 percent of that group expected their children to earn a college degree in 2009.

• Among children in poverty, 45 percent of 1- and 2-year-olds and 40 percent of children ages 3 to 5 had parents who read to them at least seven times a week in 2009; by contrast, in 1998, among families in poverty, only 37 percent of the toddlers and 34 percent of the preschoolers read with their families as often. The proportion of low-income children being read to by their families increased faster than for their wealthier peers.

• Low-income parents were 10 percent more likely in 2009 than in 1998 to have frequent conversations with their preschool or elementary-age children “just for fun” throughout the day, with more than half doing so.

• Parents in general were far more likely in 2009 to play and eat dinner with their children, and to praise their children at least three times a day, though younger children got more positive reinforcement than did teenagers.

Source: Education Week

Checklist for Parents (Preschool)

2011-07-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

You can help your child get ready for preschool by doing the following:

Help your child hear and say sounds of letters.
Help your child hear rhyming words.
Help your child learn new words.
Talk to your child about the letters of the alphabet while reading.
Point out street signs and food labels that have letters on them.
Encourage your child to have fun reading. Children enjoy choosing the book to read.
Let your child pretend to read the book by looking at the pictures.
Ask who, what, when, where, and how questions about the books and stories you read.
Help your child to make his/her own book.

Summer Reading for Toddlers - The Little Engine that Could

2011-06-25T00:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

The book entitled The Little Engine that Could is a child's first lesson in the power of positive thinking long before a child gets a chance to read the adult version written by Norman Vincent Peale. After the passenger train clown's plea for help is declined by the passenger train, a powerful engine, and an elderly engine, the little blue engine is the only engine that accepts the task, quest, challenge of helping the Christmas toys reach the children's Christmas trees over the steep mountain.

I think I can, I think I can, I thought I could phrase will resonate in your child's mind for difficult tasks and encouragement to accomplish goals.

Happy Summer

2011-06-21T03:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Summer is finally here, although many of us do not need a calendar to tell us that it is summer. The weather, no school, preparing for vacation, hearing the music from the ice cream truck are all gentle reminders that summer has arrived. But just in case you need a note to remind you - here it is - Today is the first day of Summer! I hope you have many things planned for your child this summer.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

2011-06-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

There are so many different ways that Fathers can be explained, because every father is different. You have those who read, fish, hunt, camp, golf, swim, sportsman, blue collar, white, businessman, pilot, preacher, carpenter, baker... Fathers wear so many hats and have so many different interest, but I can say that I believe that a true Father is one who loves and cares for his children and who are always proud of his children.

This is my tribute to all Fathers

A FATHER MEANS...

A Father means so many things...
A understanding heart,
A source of strength and of support
Right from the very start.
A constant readiness to help
In a kind and thoughtful way.
With encouragement and forgiveness
No matter what comes your way.
A special generosity and always affection, too
A Father means so many things
When he's a man like you...

Source: http://www.fathersdaypoems.org/

A Special Day for 2 special people

2011-06-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Today is a special day for 2 special, special people in my life. These people have and are continuing to bring joy, joy, joy in my life.
One of these people will be beginning their 11th year of life on today. Would you believe it if I told you that in the short span of 11 years of life that this person has already obtained a passport, taken a cruise, flown 1st class, traveled to Europe (Denmark, Sweden and Germany), written a blogwhich you can read at: http://www.aliyahscompany.blogspot.com, attended the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, attended a book signing for the book Son of Promise, Child of Hope written by Nikki Grimes illustrated by Bryan Collier, performed in several piano recitals, played a pipe organ while in Europe, reads daily, receive many honors for academics, Valedictorian for her daycare class, Is a Great Kid see Commerical Appeal article (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/jul/27/one-great-kid/?partner=RSS), has a post card collection that she has been collecting for the past 11 years, shares the same birthday with her Aunt-B and so much more.

So to the 2 Very, Very Special People in my life

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU and many, many more!
A - What will your 11th year hold special for you?

And

B what will your ?? year hold for you?!!!!

Much Love to both of you!!

Summer Reading for Toddlers - Good Night Moon

2011-06-15T02:26:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,

Summer is just around the corner but I hope that you have already visited your local library and gotten your toddler signed up for Summer Reading 2011.

Are you wondering what are some good books to read? Let me help you out by providing you with some books that I enjoyed reading to my toddlers:

Here is the first one that is bedtime favorite:
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

This is a very colorful picture book that is great for bedtime classic in American children's literature. The rhyming poems in this book will lull you and your child o sleep because the rhymes are so soothing. Even though the story line of the book takes place in the bedroom with the child bunny trying to avoid sleep by saying Goodnight to everything in great green room. By the way, green is my favorite color.

Quote of the Day

2010-11-27T04:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

“So it is with children who learn to read fluently and well: They begin to take flight into whole new worlds as effortlessly as young birds take to the sky.”
- William James

Quote of the Day

2010-11-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”
- W. Fusselman

Kitchen Saftey Tips

2010-11-13T08:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

I love the holidays, but be careful in the kitchen if you are going to let your children help you.

These tips help you choose what kids can do around the kitchen, but if they're going to be there as you cook then there are certain precautions you should take.

A common house fires is started from someone cooking. Most common cause of burns in kids under 3 come from scalding hot liquids or hot surfaces.

If you follow these tips from the National Fire Protection Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration you will help to have a safe kitchen for you and your children while cooking.

1. Always stay in the kitchen when you are cooking.
2. Stay alert. Don’t cook if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.
3. If you must leave the home for even a short period of time, turn off the stove or oven.
4. Keep young children at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from any place where hot food or drink is being prepared or carried.
5. Never hold a small child while cooking.
6. Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges.
7. Secure table cloths to keep kids from pulling items off tables.
8. Always turn pot holders inward.
9. Use the stove's back burners whenever possible.
10. Never hold a child while cooking or carrying hot foods or liquids.
11. Keep appliance cords coiled and away from counter edges.
12. Don't use extension cords with cooking appliances.
13. Use oven mitts or potholders when moving hot food from ovens, microwave ovens, or stovetops. Never use wet oven mitts or potholders as they can cause scald burns.
14. Replace old or worn oven mitts.
15. Keep things that burn -- pot holders, oven mitts, paper or plastic -- off your stovetop.
16. Don’t store things that can burn in an oven, microwave, or toaster oven.
17. Clean food and grease off burners, stovetops and ovens.
18. Wear clothing with sleeves that are short, close fitting, or tightly rolled up.

Happy Cooking while you are Safe in the Kitchen

7 ways to get organized

2010-10-29T06:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

There are many books that can teach you how to get organized, but after you read them how do you stay organized? I have found out that if you establish a pattern or routine daily it helps to keep things organized.

1. Keep a family calendar – everyone always has to be somewhere.
Your schedules will not overlap if you keep a calendar.

2. Have a checklist - Checklists help your child stay on track and it helps to develop your child’s ability to organize his/her time.

3. Get ready the night before - Get everything ready the night before, so you will know where clothes, shoes, hats, coats, etc are for the next morning.

4. Buy your child a planner to use to write homework assignments in.

5. Organize schoolwork, homework and notes for home in separate folders.

6. Check the backpack nightly, you may find the forgotten note about the PTA/PTO, Field trip, permission slip for music that needed to be signed 2 weeks ago.

7. Establish a homework routine. If your child attends aftercare, most of the time some of the homework may be completed before the child is picked up from after-care. The child would then have another "study hour" at home to read.

Reward your child and yourself too.

Stay on Task

2010-10-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

It has been 2 weeks now since we have been using the Morning Routine Chart. It is working for us but sometimes I have to gently ask : "What's next on your routine chart?" or "What needs to happen for you to get ready for school?"

How to Grow a Reader

2010-10-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

How do you grow a reader?
Step 1: From infancy to the birth of your child, read, read, read to your unborn baby.
Step 2: From birth read to your newborn child
Step 3: Build your child a library with picture books and bright colored books.
Step 4: Read the picture books to your baby and point to the pictures as you read.
Step 5: While reading to your child, animate your voice and facial expression.

As your child gets older:
Step 6: Take your child to the library or bookstore often
Step 7: Encourage your child to ask questions as you read to him/her
Step 8: Let your child see you reading and how much you enjoy reading.
Step 9: Go to story hour at the library
Step 10: Read bedtime stories to your child every night

For fluent readers and school age:
Step 11: Have your child read 20 to 30 minutes a day

HAPPY READING!!

7 Ways to Develop Your Child's Organizational Skills

2010-10-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

1. Keep a family calendar – Keep track of the family and know what is planned and where every one should be. This will eliminate the problem of schedules overlapping.
2. Introduce checklists. Checklists develop a child’s ability to organize his/her time.
3. Get ready the night before - Get in the habit of getting everything ready the night before (know where clothes, shoes, coats, hats, etc). Sometimes this can be a tedious task for children as well as adults.
4. Buy your child a planner. Some school us agenda/planners to keep children organized at school. This also works at home to keep the child organized and on track.
5. Organize schoolwork. Schoolwork includes homework, class assignments, notes home to parents and notes about upcoming events. Teach your child to stay organized by keeping each subject in individual folders. Check the backpack nightly, you may find the forgotten note about the PTA/PTO, Field trip, permission slip for music that needed to be signed 2 weeks ago.
6. Establish a homework routine. If your child attends aftercare, most of the time some of the homework may be completed before the child is picked up from after-care. The child would then have another "study hour" at
7. Reward your child - Encourage your child to continue using their morning routine schedule especially if it is helping your child get ready for school in an organized manner.

Time Management for Children

2010-10-11T06:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

This morning when I went to walked by my child’s bedroom, I saw her holding her shoe in her hand. I asked her why her shoe was not on her foot. She replied, “I am trying to get a knot out of my shoestring.” I wondered how long had she been working on this task. I realized then that children get a lot more accomplished when they have a routine. At school, she has a daily routine or schedule. She has an after-school routine, as well as a bedtime routine. It would stand to reason that she should have a morning routine (an organized morning routine.)

In my research I found 3 types of Routine Charts:
Vertical – Pictures are in order from top to bottom
Flip Card – These are made using index cards with a task on each card. Have your child flip the card over after the task is complete.
Horizontal Chart – Pictures are in order from left to right.
This is the routine my child will follow:
• Wake Up from Alarm Clock
• Make Bed
• Get Dressed
• Eat Breakfast
• Clean Up Breakfast
• Brush Teeth
• Get Backpack
• Leave for School
My goal is to reduce stress in my life and teach life skills to my child.
Choose the type that works best for you child, depending on the age and the need of your child.
• Preschoolers between the ages of 3-6: Choose either a vertical routine chart or a flip card picture routine chart.
• School Age Kids and Teenagers between the ages of 6 and up will need to choose their own style of chart that is easiest for them to use.
• If you have a child with Dyslexia, choose a vertical routine chart because they may struggle with concepts from left to right.
• If your child has ADD/ADHD, choose the flip chart routine chart because children with ADD and ADHD get overwhelmed with too much visual stimuli, this type of chart allows him/her to focus on one task at a time.

Tips Parent-Teacher Conferences

2010-10-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
It is almost time for Parent-Teacher Conferences. I always have more questions that I think after I leave the Parent-Teacher conference. Here are some tips I use in order to have a successful conference:

Tips for parents when meeting with teachers
1. Be on time you will have probably 10-15 minutes with the teacher.
2. Bring questions – Make a list of questions to ask the teacher about classroom, homework, tests, projects.
3. Address any concerns about child's performance (bring examples of homework, tests, etc.
4. Ask to see examples of homework, classwork, tests that your child has completed. You will be able to see what your child needs help on.
5. Become an involved parent by volunteering at school. Students are more successful if the parent(s) are involved at school.
6. Ask the teacher how you can help your child better meet the learning objectives.
7. Thank the teacher for his/her dedication and hard work teaching your child.

6 Questions for Parent-Teacher Conferences

2010-10-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner. You are probably wondering what to ask the teacher during the conference.

Here is a list of questions to ask during the conference:

1. What skills and knowledge will my child be expected to master this year in English, Math, Science, History?
2. How do you inform students about the academic standards they're expected to meet?
3. What kind of projects and assignments have you planned that will help my child meet higher academic standards?
4. How are grades determined in your classroom?
5. What can I do to stay more involved in my child's academic progress?
6. How can I support teachers' efforts in implementing higher academic standards?

Source: http://school.familyeducation.com

Favorite Books

2010-10-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Does your child have a favorite book that he/she loves to read every day or night? My son's favorite book was "The Gingerbread Man", which became my favorite book also. What would you expect after reading this book every night, I would show him the pictures while I read each page. After a while he had memorized the book and would say the words with me, even though he could not read them at the age of three (3).
Try this for fun:
What you will need:
- construction paper
- cut pictures from a magazine or newspaper
- markers
- glue
- stapler

Steps:
Fold 2 sheets of construction paper and staple them on the crease to make a book.
Let your child pick a title for the book.
Help your child pick out pictures that have to do with the title and glue them into the book.
Let your child share his/her book with a family member or friend.

Plants - Children have green thumbs too

2010-09-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Does your child have a green thumb? Try this experiment.

Supplies you will need: 2 small potted plants (use the same type of
plant), watering can, water, pen or pencil, note pad

Steps:
1. Draw a line down the middle of the paper
2. Put plant 1 on one side, Put plant 2 on the other side ( Use plant 1 and 2 because it is a experiment. Do not use names because your child may become attached to the personalized plants
3 Have your child water one of the plants, and do not water the other one for 2 weeks.
4. Each day record changes on the paper if any in the plants. (color plant, physical characterist of plant, soil,)
5. Talk to the plant.
6. At the end of the experiment have your child water the dropping plant.
7. Talk about what happened and why. (Plants usually perk up with water just as children perk up with encouragement, and good words and smiles from parents, other relatives and adults.

Source: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS

5 Ways to Build Reading Skills

2010-09-04T05:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Use these every day activates to help your 4 year old increase reading skills:
1. Read aloud with your child every day.Take time to read 30 minutes a day with your child. You can start by reading 10 minutes a day and increase the time weekly. Read your child’s favorite book or pick out stories that he/she likes.
2. Talk, sing, recite nursery rhymes with your child.
This is an important step in building the vocabulary of your child, this will help to read better. Talk to your child about his/her daily activities.
3. Take your child to new places.
Take your child to new places in the city. Check with your local library to see when the events are FREE. Trips to the park, shops, library, food markets, nature centers, historic buildings, craft fairs, post office, sport events. When you visit these events you will help to build your child’s knowledge of the world around him/her.
4. Check your child’s hearing and eyes.
The eyes and ears are important to the reading process for children.
5.Discover ways to make reading fun. Your local library may have reading and summer reading programs that you can attend. Bookstores are another place that have reading programs for children. Get your child a library card. Borrow books from the local library or even another family and friends member’s library.

Source: Family Education

Ready for Kindergarten

2010-08-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten
Your child should be able to:
1. Match sounds to each alphabet letter.
2. Recognize and use rhyming words.
3. Recognize a few frequently used sight words such as the, and, is.
4. Count, recognize, and write the numbers up to 20.
5. Identify days of the week and seasons of the year.

http://school.familyeducation.com

Bathtime game for babies

2010-08-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Bathtime can be a fun or fussy time for babies.

Try to acheive a fun bath time by trying this game called All Washed Up.

Talk and sing while bathing you infant in the tub. Sing about the parts of the body you are washing. Sing this song to the tune of "London Bridges Falling Down":
Head, shoulders knees and toes,
Knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes,
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose.

Quote of the Day

2010-08-23T04:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“There is an art of reading, as well as an art of thinking, and an art of writing.”
- Isaac D'Israeli

Develomental milestones for babies

2010-08-18T05:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers,

The miracle of life is shown through babies. Their sensory development is a miracle in itself. They are able to concentrate on what is important to them, because their eyes can only focus about 8 inches for the first month of life. So all they see is their parents, or caregiver at the time. The baby's hearing is about the same as an adult and they can be startled by loud noises. One fact remains the same, babies know their mothers because their sense of smell is developed for them to identify that. Babies eat and sleep in the first 3 months of life. They are constantly growing and learning as the days go by because smiles and other playfull gestures increase daily. Soon they have reached the 3 month mark and are smiling, recoginzing family members, and delighted to play games because of the attentio given to them.

Tips to make the new school year go smoothly

2010-08-16T05:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Here are a few tips to help make your school year go smoothly.

1. Plan your week on the weekend. Make sure everything is ready and in place for Monday - Friday. This will cut down on the morning chaos (missing shoes, belts, coats, etc.)
2. If you carpool make sure you know your route ahead of time, and watch the news for morning traffic.
3.Establish a betime routine and do it every night.
4.Make reading part of the bedtime routine.
5.Limit television on school nights.

Have a fun and safe school year!

The new school year

2010-08-14T06:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Well the 1st week of school is behind me. I planned to have dinner ready, homework completed, and get ready for bed routine completed by 8:30 pm. Well, 1:5 days is not a bad ratio. My main goal was for the television to not be turned on and that part was a success 5:5.
This was easier than I thought, I sent family members upstairs if they wanted to watch TV. Television in our house will be limited this year, and more learning combined with fun activities will be forthcoming.

Quote of the Day

2010-07-12T16:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“I used to walk to school with my nose buried in a book.”
- Coolio

The trouble with TV and toddlers

2010-06-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Toddlers who watch too much TV may struggle in school.may lower math scores and may get bullied more than other children. They may also weigh more by age 10. The may eat more snacks and drink more soft drinks because they are watching TV. Research has also shown that TV decreases the chances to learn social skills. Pediatrics discourage any screen media exposure during infancy.

After age 2 the toddler should watch less than 2 hours of TV per day. An additional hour each week at 29months equal to 97% drop in classroom attention and a 6% drop in math skills.
Read the entire article at http://wdok.radio.com/2010/05/04/more-tv-for-toddlers-equals-school-trouble-later/

Summer Reading Tips

2010-06-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Yes the long hot days of summer are upon us! Remember to include reading material before you complete packing the luggage for Kid's summer vacation at Grandma's house, Dad's house, Momma Sharon's or your favorite cousin's house.

Studies have shown that children experience a loss of reading skills over the summer months, but children who continue to read actually gain skills.

Summer is the time for parents to help children maintain and even increase reading skills, strengthen their vocabulary and reinforce the benefits of reading for enjoyment.

Here are some tips on Summer Reading:
1. Read aloud together with your child every day in doors and outside. My favorite place in the summer was reading under a tree in the shade.

2. Set a good example! Keep lots of reading material around the house. Turn off the TV and have family reading time for Mom, Dad, and children.

3. Let kids choose what they want to read, read the same book your child is reading and discuss it.

4. Buy books on tape or check them out at the library. A great time to listen to them is in the car. What a change from the talking and music of the radio.

5. Daily engage in verbal word play, vocabulary building, recognizing new and familiar words or attaching meaning to words and sentences.

6. Take your children to the library and join the summer reading club.

7. Subscribe, in your child's name, to magazines like Sports Illustrated for Kids, Highlights for Children, or National Geographic World.

8. Encourage older children to read the newspaper and current events magazines as a way of keeping up the reading habit over the summer and enhancing a growing vocabulary. Ask them what they think about what they've read, and listen to what they say.

9. Encourage pen pals over the summer with friends from school to ease disappointment of summer separation from a favorite school friend.

10. Trips can be a fun way to encourage reading. Ask your children to read traffic signs and billboards aloud. Show them how to read a map, and once you are on the road, let them take turns being the navigator.

11. Encourage children to keep a summer scrapbook. Tape in souvenirs of your family's summer activities - picture postcards, ticket stubs, photos. Have your children write the captions and read them aloud as you look at the book together.

Adapted from "Summer Reading Tips for Parents" by the Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities.

Comic Strip Writing

2010-05-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Comic strips can help with writing. Cut apart the segments of a comic strip and ask your child to arrange them in order. Then ask your child to fill in the words of the characters orally or in writing.
Have your child draw their own comics!

Your child will have written a short story line that can become a paragraph or short story later.

Comic Strip Reading

2010-05-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

I remember as a child the first thing I would read on Sunday morning was the Sunday comics. I think I was drawn to them as a child because of the colorful drawings. In fact, this was the only section of the paper that was available because my mom was looking at the sales papers while my dad read the other sections of the paper.

I quickly saw myself in my daughter when she began reading the comics in the daily newspaper. This alone was enough for me to continue the home subscription instead of the purchasing the online edition. Every morning before we leave for work my daughter runs to pick up the paper out of the driveway and take it to the car. The trip to school takes about 20 to 25 minutes, just enough time for her to read her favorite comics.

I made a mental note to always keep something for her to read in the car. Parents this is the easy way to make sure that your child reads 20 minutes a day.

2010-05-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered if your child is reading to his or her level of achievement? Take a look at these Predictors of Reading Achievement from the National Early Literacy Panel to evaluate your child.

Predictors of Reading Achievement
Six moderate to strong skills predict overall literacy development:

1. Alphabetic Knowledge: knowledge of names and sounds associated with printed letters
2. Phonological Awareness: detecting, manipulating, or analyzing parts of words
3. Rapid Automatic Naming of Letters/Digits: naming a sequence of random letters or numbers
4. Rapid Automatic Naming of Objects/Colors: naming a sequence of random sets of pictures or objects
5. Writing or Writing Name: writing letters in isolation or one's own name
6. Phonological Memory: remembering spoken information for a short period of time
7. Five additional skills are moderate predictors of some aspect of later literacy development:
8. Concepts About Print: knowledge of print conventions (read left to write) and concepts (book cover, author)
9. Print Knowledge: combination of alphabetic knowledge, concepts about print, and early decoding
10. Reading Readiness: combination of alphabetic knowledge, concepts of print, vocabulary, memory, and phonemic awareness
11. Oral Language: producing or comprehending spoken language, including vocabulary and grammar
12. Visual Processing: matching or discriminating visually presented symbols

SOURCE: National Early Literacy Panel

Home Learning Recipes, Hidden Treasures

2010-04-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Try this fun activity with your child now that Springtime is here.
Hidden treasures
What you will need:
2 paper bags
index cards
pen or pencil

Put the names of household items in a paper bag (example: chair, toothpaste, iron, stove, bathtub)
Put the names of the rooms that are in the house on index cards and put them in a different bag. (example: kitchen, living room, den, bedroom)

Have your child pull one index card out of the rooms bags.
Have your child pull one index card out of the household items bag.
Match up the household items with the correct household item room bag.

Source: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS

Quote of the Day

2010-03-17T06:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.”
- Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

Quote of the Day

2010-03-10T06:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

“When you sell a man a book you don't sell him just 12 ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life.”
Christopher Morley

Black History - First Lady Michelle Obama

2010-02-22T07:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama (born January 17, 1964) is the wife of the forty-fourth President of the United States, Barack Obama, and is the first First Lady of the United States of African-American heritage.

First Lady Michelle Obama was born and grew up in Chicago (south side). She graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. She met her husband, Barack Obama while working at a Chicago Law firm. She helped her husband with the campaign for the presidential bid and delivered a keynote address at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

She has two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

Childhood obesity is her first lady's initiative.

Black History - President Barack Obama

2010-02-20T18:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,
This month would not be complete without paying tribute to our current president:
Barack Obama, our 44th of the United States. President Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

President Obama has a Bachelor's Degree from Columbia University (1983)he also attended Occidental College; and has a Law Degree from Harvard Law School (1991)

He served as an Illinois state senator from 1997-2005; U.S. and as a senator from 2005- 2009 when he was elected president.

His professional history includes jobs as a Financial analyst, Business International Corp., 1983-84; organizer, Developing Communities Project, 1985-88; executive director, Illinois Project Vote, 1992; senior lecturer, University of Chicago Law School, 1993-2004; author.

He is married to Michelle (Robinson) and has 2 daughters Malia Ann and Sasha.

These are the issues he ran his campagian: economy, health care, imigration and global warmng
Source: http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-09-11/news/17120052_1_illegal-immigrants-health-care-political-biography

Black History - Africian American firsts

2010-02-16T06:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American pilots in the U.S. armed forces. Beginning in 1941, select groups of extensively tested and rigorously trained African-Americans were trained at The Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. The Tuskegee Airmen are depicted in the G.I. Joe action figure series.

Nathaniel Adams Cole “Nat King Cole” (1919 - 1965), a singer, song writer and pianist, was the first African-American to host a national television program, The Nat King Cole Show, in 1956.

Edmonia Lewis (1844? - ?) was the first professional African-American sculptor, often sculpting courageous and inspirational people such as Cleopatra, Phillis Wheatley, President Ulysses S. Grant, etc…

Debi Thomas (1967 - ), the talented figure-skater, is the first African American to win a medal (bronze) at the Winter Olympic games (1988). In 2002 Vonetta Flowers (1973 - ) became the first African-American to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympic games.

Richard Theodore Greener (1844 - 1922), was the first African-American graduate from Harvard in 1870. He started out at Oberlin college, the first American college to admit African-Americans and went on to become a lawyer.

Alain Locke (1886 - 1954), a writer, philosopher and intellectual, was the first African-American Rhodes Scholar. A strong supporter of African-American arts, he wrote about the Harlem Renaissance in The New Negro (1925).

Maya Angelou's (1928 - ) autobiographical, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" is the first non-fiction work by an African-American woman to make the best-seller list.

Deford Bailey (1899 - 1982) was a "wizard" at playing the harmonica and was most notable for mimicking the sound of locomotives. He was the first African-American to perform at the Grand Ole Opry and one of the first African-American stars of country music.

Black History - Inventions

2010-02-13T06:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

These are just a few of the little know facts of Black History.

Frederick Jones (1892 - 1961)held over 60 patents with most of them pertaining to refrigeration. His portable air conditioner was used in World War II to preserve medicine and blood serum.

Thomas J. Martin patented a fire extinguisher in 1872.

Joseph Winters invented a fire escape ladder in 1878.

Lonnie G. Johnson (1949 - ), an engineer who performed spacecraft system design for NASA, invented the Super Soaker water gun - the number one selling toy in America in 1991.

John Love invented the pencil sharpener in 1897.

Henry Brown created what is now known as a "strongbox", a metal container to store money and important papers that could be locked with a key in 1886.

Joseph Lee (1849 - 1905) invented a bread-making machine that mixed the ingredients and kneaded the dough in 1895.

Henry Blair (1807 - 1860), the second African-American to receive a patent, invented a corn seed planter in 1834 and a cotton planter in 1836. Blair could not read or write and signed his patent with an X.

Source: http://www.biography.com/blackhistory/101-facts-inventions.jsp

Black History - Buffalo Soldiers

2010-02-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Have you ever heard of the "Buffalo Soldiers"? This is the nickname that was given to the Africian-Americian soldiers of the 10th regiment of the U.S. Army by the Native Americans they fought in 1866. The "Buffalo Soldiers" were created by Congress as the first peacetime all black regiment of the U. S. Army.
The "Buffalo Soldiers were also some of the first national park rangers. Buffalo Soldiers from Company H, 24th Infantry Regiment served as park rangers in Yosemite National Park, Sequioa National Park and General Grant Natinal Park. .

(Sources: Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Soldier; Yosemite Association: http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips2003/february/020103.htm)

Black History - Henriett Lacks, Imortal Cells

2010-02-06T09:50:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

These are the words from my last post:
"The month of February, 2010, B4 Literacy salutes African Americans who have unselfishly helped to make this USA and the world a better place to live."

After reading an article about young black woman named Henrietta Lacks whose cells were essential in developing the polio vaccine and were used in scientific landmarks such as cloning, gene mapping and in vitro fertilization, I have to add these words after the word unselfishly: and unaware .

The article is about a black 30 year woman who has cervical cancer, she goes to the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. On one of her visits in 1951, one of the scientist took a sample of the tumor to another group of scientist who had been attempting to grow tissues. According to the article Henrietta was unaware that the scientist had taken a sample of her tumor to be studied. For 10 years, the scientists had been unsuccessful when they tried to grow tissue in cultures. Henrietta Lacks cells never died…
“Henrietta’s cells were the first immortal human cells ever grown in culture. They were essential to developing the polio vaccine. They went up in the first space missions to see what would happen to cells in zero gravity. Many scientific landmarks since then have used her cells, including cloning, gene mapping and in vitro fertilization.”
Read more about this in the article in the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Henrietta-Lacks-Immortal-Cells.html
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by journalist Rebecca Skloot tells down the story of the amazing HeLa cells, Henrietta Lacks, and documents the cell line's impact on both modern medicine and the Lacks family.

Salute to Black History Month!

2010-02-03T20:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if a certain person or certain people had not been born? I often ponder this question for African Americans like Carter G. Woodson, Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and Barack Obama to name a few. There are of course many, many, many more African American people that you can think of in your mind that have had an impact on society and set the wheels of change in motion for the betterment of society.

The world has not seen or heard of all the people not just African Americans that will have an impact on the American society and the world.

Every nationality has people from the past, present and will have people in the future that can and will be honored for major accomplishments in order to make the world a better place.

The month of February, 2010, B4 Literacy salutes African Americans who have unselfishly helped to make this USA and the world a better place to live.

Read 20 Minutes a Day

2010-01-01T06:47:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Happy New Year!! Today is the first day of the year and B4 Literacy wants you to get off to a Reading start! Let reading for 20 minutes a day be one of your New Year's resolutions.

Why Your Child Should Read for 20 minutes Every Day

"WHY CAN'T I SKIP MY 20 MINUTES OF READING TONIGHT?"

LET'S FIGURE IT OUT --- MATHEMATICALLY!

Student A reads 20 minutes five nights of every week;
Student B reads only 4 minutes a night...or not at all!

Step 1: Multiply minutes a night x 5 times each week.
Student A reads 20 min. x 5 times a week = 100 mins./week
Student B reads 4 minutes x 5 times a week = 20 minutes

Step 2: Multiply minutes a week x 4 weeks each month.
Student A reads 400 minutes a month.
Student B reads 80 minutes a month.

Step 3: Multiply minutes a month x 9 months/school year
Student A reads 3600 min. in a school year.
Student B reads 720 min. in a school year.

Student A practices reading the equivalent of ten whole school days a year.
Student B gets the equivalent of only two school days of reading practice.

By the end of 6th grade if Student A and Student B maintain
these same reading habits,
Student A will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days
Student B will have read the equivalent of only 12 school days.
One would expect the gap of information retained will have widened considerably and so, undoubtedly, will school performance. How do you think Student B will feel about him/herself as a student?

Some questions to ponder:
1. Which student would you expect to read better?
2. Which student would you expect to know more?
3. Which student would you expect to write better?
4. Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary?
5. Which student would you expect to be more successful in school....and in life?

(Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, America Reads Challenge. (1999) "Start Early, Finish Strong: How to Help Every Child Become a Reader." Washington, D.C.

Home Learning Recipes

2009-12-31T18:47:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

This is a good home learning activity. Now that all of the holidays have passed. You probably are wondering what to do with the cookie cutters you used during the holidays.

Well let them eat Shapes – Use the cookie cutters you used to bake the Christmas cookies (rectangles, triangles, squares, circles, alphabets) Cut slices of bread using the cookie cutters. Make at least 2 of each shape. Have your youngster to choose a pair of similar shapes, then put peanut and jam on the first piece and place the second piece on top to make a sandwich. This is a snack plus a game to match the shapes.

Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.

Project Help Parents Beware!

2009-12-19T05:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

How did you put your project together? This was the question that one student asked after the oral presentation in class. I don’t know, my mom did everything, was the response from the child.

Parents beware. Let your child use their talents and imagination when it comes to any project that is assigned as homework. The child will probably have to present the project in front of his/her classmates and you want them to be able to explain the details of the project.

Quote of the Day

2009-12-07T04:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

"Wear the old coat and buy the new book."
Austin Phelps

Home Learning Recipes

2009-12-03T06:52:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Everywhere you look, there can be a fun learning activity for your child. Letters are everywhere even hidden.

Try this activity, this activity builds reading observation skills. Letters are everywhere, have your child look for letters in the newspaper, cereal boxes, cans of food and household supplies(non-toxic) Have your child circle all the A’s, B’s, C’s through Z. Write the letters on an index card and put them in a paper bag, have your child pull the letter out of the bag and this is the letter your child will have to look for.

Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.

Baby story hour at the library

2009-11-30T05:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Check out your local library to see if they have a baby story hour. This would be an excellent activity for you, baby and siblings during the holiday season. Holidays are not just about shopping, eating and gift giving.

Attend the story hour with baby, your favorite Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah book may be on the list to be read.

Reinforce learning during hollidays

2009-11-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

This is a great way to reinforce learning for your child during the holidays. While planning your holiday dinner party. Let your child help you by Sorting and Stacking items.

This activity will help you teach your child how to classify dinnerware items (plates, cups, forks, spoons, napkins).

Your child can learn while helping you in the kitchen by sorting dishes and other items. Have your child sort and match dishes of similar sizes and shapes. While preparing for dinner have your child sort the forks and spoons. Your child is learning while helping you to prepare for dinner.

Always be careful and be safe while in the kitchen with children.

Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS

Kitchen Safety Duties by Age

2009-11-22T07:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays are a favorite of mine because of the food and family!

I remember Mom being in the kitchen at least 2 days before the Thanksgiving holidays. I know because I would be in there with her, my assignment was to clean the many bunches of greens that she had purchased. I did not mind picking the greens because greens are one of my favorite dishes. I also liked being in the kitchen because I would get to taste and sample whatever she was preparing. My favorites were samples of the stuffing for the turkey and cake mixes (Chocolate - Yum, Yum).

At the age of 9 I was the oldest girl, which meant I was the one who had to help mom in the kitchen. My younger brothers and sister were not allowed to help because of their age. I know we practiced Kitchen Safety as a child because I did not get any major injuries while in the kitchen with Mom.

I don't remember her telling me a lot of rules, I just watched her, and knew how to handle hot pots and pans going in and out of the oven. I watched her keep the handles or pots turned to the inside of the stove. I watched her carefully place food in boiling water or hot cooking oil and quickly move back out of the away to avoid injury.

Listed below are some Kitchen Safety duties by age to use if your child(ren) will be in the kitchen with you during the holidays or at anytime.

Children between 3-5 years of age and do the following:
Get ingredients out of the refrigerator and cupboards.
Stir ingredients together in a bowl.
Pour cool liquids into a bowl.
Rinse foods under cold water.
Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes in dough.

Children between 6-8 years can do the following:
Use a butter knife to spread frosting, peanut butter or soft cheese.
Peel vegetables with a peeler.
Measure ingredients.
Set the table.

Children between 9-12 years can do the following:
Begin to follow recipes.
Help plan the meals.
Use electrical kitchen appliances such as blenders, food processors, electric mixers and microwaves.
Open cans.
Squeeze garlic from a garlic press and use a grater to shred cheese and vegetables.
Turn stove burners on and off and select oven temperature when an adult is present.

Children above age 13 can do the following:
Operate the stove top without adult supervision.
Drain cooked pasta into a colander.
Remove a tray of cookies from the oven.
Heat food in the microwave without adult supervision.

Source: http://firstaid.about.com/od/injuriesathome/qt/07_CookingSafe.htm

Today Kid Reporter - Deidra Shores

2009-11-20T05:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

B4 Literacy congratulates Deidra Shores, the Today Show winner for the Kid Reporter contest.

I enjoyed watching Deidra's submission tape to the Today Show which showed her darting out and reappearing in different places in the city of Memphis. You did not know what backdrop scene Deidra would appear in next. If you are familiar with Memphis, you were knew approximately where Deidra was standing in order to get the view of the Memphis Bridge in the background. Did you hear the Trolley whistle signal her exit to go to the next scene? This was very clever Deidra using a technique that is commonly used in children's books when children are learning to read. The music will let the child know to turn the page.

Her submission tape coupled with her bubbly personality was definitely a winner!

And congratulations to all of the kids who submitted tapes to the Today Show "Today Kid Reporter Contest", I reviewed some of the submission tapes and they were very creative and clever. You are all winners in my book and much success to all of you.

Quote: “To dream anything that you want to dream. That's the beauty of the human mind. To do anything that you want to do. That is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits. That is the courage to succeed.” Bernard Edmonds

Copy and past this link into your browser to view the Today Show of Deidra's submission tape and her journey:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33213732/ns/today-todays_kid_reporter/

Photo source: http://www.commercialappeal.com/photos/2009/nov/12/139354/

Holiday Safety Tips for Children

2009-11-18T06:48:00.000-08:00

Children always like to help in the kitchen at any time but especially during holidays.

I am posting this post because accidents happen and parents should watch children carefully while they are in the kitchen.

My son burned his arm while he was a toddler in the kitchen. I was in the kitchen with him at the time, but was not watching him carefully enough because a minor injury occurred. My son always liked to play with the pots and pans that were kept under the bottom of the stove. Normally while playing with them, I would leave the bottom drawer where the pots and pans were kept open wide so he could bang away with the pots and pans. Boys love to make noise. All the other times when he was playing in the kitchen, the oven would not have been turned on. This time however the oven had been on because I was baking, but it was turned off but had not cooled enough for an injury not to occur.

My son did not know the oven was still hot, so he must have pulled the bottom drawer open slightly as far as he could and stuck his arm in the open drawer. He was able to open the drawer about 2 inches, but this provided enough room for him to slide his arm inside. I realized his arm was stuck when I heard him crying. I quickly reached down and grabbed him and pulled his arm out of the drawer. I administered first aid as best as I could on his arm before taking him to the emergency room. He received a second degree burn on his forearm because the skin blistered. Thankfully, his arm healed eventually with care.

So parents, please be careful if are going to allow your children in the kitchen while preparing the holiday dinner this year. Be careful and safe in the kitchen at all times.

Watch for my next post Kitchen Safety for children - ages 3-5 years old, 6-8 years, 9-12 years, 9-12 years, over 13 years old.

Quote of the Day

2009-11-15T06:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

“Read, read, read.”
- William Faulkner

Explaining a recession to your child

2009-11-07T05:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Life happens. Many of us are experiencing the effects of the recession first hand with the loss of an income from yourself or spouse. Look at life like it is a series of math problems.

Like a math problem,first evaluate the situation. You will now be a one income family, therefore adjustments will have to be made until the income(s) can be replaced.

Second, make adjustments, in a math problem this would be where you would set the problem up in order to determine which method to use to work it out.
You may have to cook more often instead of eating out.
You may have to learn to live without some of the finer things in life that you thought you could not live without.
You may have to start clipping coupons to save money on groceries and other items.
You may have to become a one car family because there is not enough money for maintenance for the second car.

Third, explain the problem, in a recession, the child(ren) will also feel and see the effects. What do you tell a child when they notice that Mom or Dad does not get up for work anymore? How do you explain the loss of a job to your child? They will see the effects when they do not see the refrigerator full of food anymore. How will the child adjust to moving from their home in case of a foreclosure? How will the child adjust moving from the neighborhood and friends?

Explain to the child that things will have to change because there may not be enough money for movie night at the neighborhood theater. There may not be enough money for your all of your favorite items that you are allowed to purchase at the department or grocery store.

Your child will probably express saddness but give them a big hug and let them know you that you love them. And lastly, try to buy at least one item for them if possible. Even if it is something for a quarter out of the bubble gum machines.

The Love of Reading

2009-10-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

If your child is given a book report project, let them chose the book to read themselves. You will be amazed at the outcome if the child is able to choose a book that they will enjoy reading. For example, my daughter had to select a book, read it and do a shoebox book report. I was amazed when she chose a book that had been in her home library for at least a year. I was also thankful that I did not have to visit the local library where she would take hours selecting from the many books on the shelves.

She immediately began to read her book and spent the rest of the evening quietly reading. I knew the book must have been interesting when she fell asleep while reading. You know your child is enjoying books when a book is the first thing their hands pick up the next morning. You know that you have to get the rest of the books in the series when the child walks and reads at the same time. You try to conceal your laughter when you see them walk to the car, open the door, get in and buckle seat belt while eyes are glued to the pages of the book.

I was amazed when she finished the 20 chapter book in a day and a half. When I saw the interesting way the author wrote, I realized why she read the book so quickly. She had finally found a book that really caught her interest and one that she enjoyed reading. I was glad that she completed the book so quickly because she became ill the weekend before the book report was due.

Since my child was confined to the house we had no choice but to use items that we had at home. She decided that she could fold origami papers to make all of her items that were needed in the shoebox report.

The project was completed and turned in on time to her teacher. This was because my daughter (even though she was sick) loved folding origami papers.

In the end, we both were amazed at how easy this project was because reading and folding origami papers are two things that she loves to do.

Quote of the Day

2009-10-25T04:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.”
- Walt Disney

Teaching your children morals - Character

2009-10-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

Teaching your children morals.

The best way to teach your children morals is by example of how we as parents live. Our children are watching us in everything that we do. Do you eat grapes at the grocery without paying for them? Do you tell your child to lie about his/her age in order to receive discounts on dinner, or movies.

Remember our children are watching us as we lead by example.

Quote of the Day

2009-10-18T04:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“Let us read and let us dance - two amusements that will never do any harm to the world.”
- Voltaire

Quote of the Day

2009-10-11T04:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.”
- Victor Hugo

Morals: Helping

2009-10-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Most small children love to help parents do something or everything around the house. Whether it’s making the bed, washing the dishes or throwing paper in the trash, there is a fun and learning opportunity for the child.

Imagine my amazement when my 4 year old made her bed one morning. I could tell that she helped her child care provider or watched her closely throughout the day. Her actions told me this because she was always busy picking up paper and throwing it in the trash.

When my children were small I would let them stand on a stool and wash dishes (or so they thought). What they were really doing was playing with a plastic bowl or small pot in the soapy water while I was in the kitchen with them as I prepared dinner. The child thinks they are helping you and feel good that they can help Mom.

This also teaches them that every family member has a job to do around the house.

Teaching your baby morals

2009-10-05T05:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

All parents want our children to be on their best behavior when they are in our presence and especially when they are not in our presence.

"Is your child an angel at home?" was the response from a teacher as she answered my question of how my child was doing in school. Because I was not expecting that answer I had to pause and think about my child's behavior at home. I also had to think about what morals and values I had taught my child. After a moment of thought I felt somewhat assured that my child behaved in appropriate ways because of the morals and values that she was being taught at home.

Webster's Dictionary defines morals as: a.of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior, b.expressing to a standard of right behavior

Look for post of examples of good morals and values that will be posted over the next several months.

Quote of the Day

2009-10-04T04:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“Effective readers, even at their earliest levels, read in five to seven word phrases rather than word by word.”
- Richard L. Allington, "What Really Matters for Struggling Readers" (2001)

Talking and Reading essential to language skills

2009-10-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

New studies show that the language skills learned from reading to your child can be enhanced when talking is added. For instance, while reading a book to your child, point to the pictures and ask questions. You may want your child to tell you what he/she thinks will happen next. Or you may want to ask your child to tell you what he/she thinks will happen at the end of the book.

Source:http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/conversing-with-child-more-effective-94603.aspx

Quote of the Day

2009-09-27T04:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”
- Ray Bradbury

Reading to Infants raises language skills

2009-09-23T01:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

The spoken language is one of the ways people communicate with each other. That is why it is extremely important for the reading skill to be taught to our children early. This is the one skill that can be taught to children, no matter what the income level is. You can teach reading to your child which will enhance his/her spoken language.

According to a new study "No matter what language you speak or how much money you make, it’s never too early to start reading to your children.” according to a new study.

Researchers have found that children whose mothers began reading to them at an early age were able to understand and comprehended and cognitive development. Children under the age of 3 are in a critical period for the language development needed for later reading success.

You can read more about this article at the following link:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203393,00.html

Quote of the Day

2009-09-20T04:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
- Harry S. Truman

Quote of the Day

2009-09-06T04:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“Read in order to live.”
- Gustave Flaubert

All children are different - Part II

2009-08-26T06:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

When you think you know everything there is to know about children and have seen it all, you come across a child that has a free spirit. As you hold their hands and watch them grow and learn, you gently remove one finger at a time so they will not know that you are only holding one hand.

Children with free spirits love living and it shows because they are nature lovers and love to experience life to the fullest. They will try everything at least once from food to all types of fun. Free Spirits love to share all their talents with you and they want your undivided attention.

This type of child will not let you off the hook easily because they are going to question you about everything. And you have to have a sensible answer for them. They will keep you on your toes and listen to your words while watching your actions. They will remember everything you tell them while hoping you forget the punishment they were promised. Free spirit children really bring out the parent in you.

You have to sharpen every parenting skill from listening to project making because they will always challenge you and your response to them. They do not mean any harm they just want to understand fully your answer to them.

Because they are so creative and independent, you will have an easy time letting go of the other hand as they get older. The only thing I caution you about is your strategy for helping them throughout life. Sometimes they will struggle with your method of teaching them because they will think it is old fashioned and will want to do it their way.

I have learned on several occasions that if you just coax them and let them learn in their own way (computer games, songs, etc) they will arrive at the same point that you want them to, even if they travel a different road to the beat of a different drummer.

As their little feet march along the path, you will be there as a parent to guide them along the way and keep them focused and on task.

Birthdays are Special Days!

2009-08-23T00:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

What days are special in your children's lives. I imagine a birthday would be one of them.

Birthdays allow moms and dads a time to reflect on the past before a child's birth. Mothers remember the 9 months of pregnancy, labor pains and birth of the child. Mothers also remember the extremely painful kick from the child felt inside her stomach which caused her to catch her breath and say "There has to be a football player in there because he surely can kick."

Fathers remember the remarks that were said at the nursery window such as: he is the biggest baby in the nursery, he looks just like his dad, he is a handsome baby.

Other special memories and milestones are: son's graduation from Preschool and Mom's graduation from college occurred in the same month/year, his high school graduation occurred on Mom's birthday.

His 18th birthday, Mom was able to add to memories that he was a freshman in college living on the dorm. Today on his 19th birthday, Mom's memory will be that he has returned to college as a Sophomore.

Happy Birthday son, Mom loves you dearly! I will see you at the end of Sophomore year!

Quote of the Day

2009-08-21T04:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all.”
- Jacqueline Kennedy

Brain Games

2009-08-18T04:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Try this game with your 4 year old toddler.
Draw a circle around the base of a glass or jar on a piece of lightweight cardboard.
Let your child color large spots of red, green and blue circles on the front.
Using play dough under the card, push a small pencil in the center.
Remove the play dough and let your child use the pencil to spin the circle.
Different colors of rings will appear as the circle spins around.

Source: Brain Games for Preschoolers, Eion

Quote of the Day

2009-08-09T04:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
- Emilie Buchwald

All chilren are different - Part I

2009-08-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Sometimes as parents we do not realize how different our children are. The tricks of the trade of parenthood may not work for all of your children in the same way. My first child was somewhat of a breeze to raise. Whatever I told him to do he did in school and at home. Most of my instructions to him for elementary school was to sit at the front of the class, obey your teacher and do your homework immediately after school.

Sometimes I would have to explain my logic behind why I had him participating in the educational activities on Saturday. Most children want to sleep late and watch television on the weekends. Overall he followed Mom's instruction and achieved Honor Roll status every year throughout elementary, middle and high school.

Before he entered high school, I thanked him for his obedience and good grades for the past 8 years of school. I then proceeded to tell him that the past 8 years of school did not count, it is what you do in the next 4 years (9th - 12th grades) that is going to help you earn scholarships for college.

Again he listened to his mother and followed my lead and enrolled in one of the city's 1st charter schools. I chose this school because of the small class sizes, educational curriculum and Saturday school classes. The school ended up being an excellent choice for high school because of the many opportunities it afforded my child (ACT preparation classes, Prep School, Challenge, Rotary, Dual Enrollment (High School and College courses, etc). He was able to blossom and find out who he was as an individual and understand his leadership role in the community.

One of the school's requirements in order to graduate was for the Seniors to be accepted into college. In the fall of his senior year, my son came home and told me that he had applied to 18 colleges. Of course I asked him why so many colleges and his response was because they had my major and they accepted the common application. Thankfully, he followed up by completing the application process of essay writing and etc for each college. He did not have to wait long before the acceptance letters started appearing in the mailbox.

Each letter from each college brought a huge smile on my son's face and a sense of relief to me. He smiled because he was accepted and I was relived because he was offered many scholarships.

In the end he chose to stay at home and attend college in the city where he was born receiving a full academic scholarship. My only stipulation was he would have to live on the dorm in order to be able to really experience college life.

He received more than $700,000 in scholarship awards to various colleges in the United States.

Read Part II of my post to understand the title fully.

Quote of the Day

2009-08-02T04:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“The greatest gift is a passion for reading.”
- Elizabeth Hardwick

Home Learning Recipes: Laundry Math

2009-07-30T06:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Are you trying to find ways to get your child interested in chores as well as learning math?

Try this technique called Laundry Math.
Laundry Math--Sharpen skills by doing a necessary household job. Ask your youngster to sort laundry--before or after washing. How many socks? How many sheets?

Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS

Home Learning Recipes: Weigh Me

2009-07-28T04:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Here is another recipe for learning at home called Weigh Me:
This is a good skill to teach estimating.

Ask your children to guess the weight of several household objects--a wastebasket, a coat, a full glass of water. Then show children how to use a scale to weigh the objects. Next, have them estimate their own weight, as well as that of other family members, and use the scale to check their guesses.

Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.

Quote of the Day

2009-07-26T04:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.”
- Edmund Burke

Home Learning Recipes: Hidden Letters

2009-07-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

It is time for another recipe for learning at home called Hidden Letters: This is a reading observation skill.

Hidden Letters--Build reading observation skills with this activity. Ask your child to look for letters of the alphabet on boxes and cans of food and household supplies. For example, find five A's or three C's, or any number of letters or combinations on cereal boxes, soup cans, bars of soap. Start with easy-to-find letters and build up to harder-to-find ones. Then have your children write the letters on paper or point out the letters on the boxes and cans.

As an added activity while you are in the car, have your child find letters in a newspaper or magizne.

Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.

Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

2009-07-20T06:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

How can you tell your child is ready for Kindergarten through 12th grade?

The perfect formula has not been developed to determine if your child is ready for Kindergarten. B4 Literacy has found a Kindergarten Checklist for you to use as a guide.
This list will help you determine the skills your child has before starting Kindergarten. Use this list throughout your child's Kindergarten year to see what skills he/she has gained.

• Listen to stories without interrupting
• Recognize rhyming sounds
• Pay attention for short periods of time to adult-directed tasks
• Understand actions have both causes and effects
• Show understanding of general times of day
• Cut with scissors
• Trace basic shapes
• Begin to share with others
• Start to follow rules
• Be able to recognize authority
• Manage bathroom needs
• Button shirts, pants, coats, and zip up zippers
• Begin to control oneself
• Separate from parents without being upset
• Speak understandably
• Talk in complete sentences of five to six words
• Look at pictures and then tell stories
• Identify rhyming words
• Identify the beginning sound of some words
• Identify some alphabet letters
• Recognize some common sight words like "stop"
• Sort similar objects by color, size, and shape
• Recognize groups of one, two, three, four, and five objects
• Count to ten
• Bounce a ball

If all of these skills are not mastered by your child send them to Kindergarten anyway. The Kindergarten teacher will thank you if you send a child that is healthy, mature and eager to learn on the first day of school.

Source:Peggy Gisler, Ed.S. and Marge Eberts, Ed.S.

Home Learning Recipes: Telephonitis

2009-07-17T06:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Telephonitis --Give your child practice in reading numbers left to right by dialing a telephone. Make a list of telephone numbers your child can read--for relatives, friends, the weather bureau--and have your child make a call or two.

This is also a good time for your child to learn their telephone number and practice how to answer the phone.

Note: These home learning "recipes" have been tested and developed by Dr. Dorothy Rich, author of MEGASKILLS.

Book donations

2009-07-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

If you are a book lover like me, then you have accumulated lots and lots of books for yourself and your child/children. I have saved books that my first child's library and passed them on to my my second child to read and enjoy. Books do not date themselves, like clothing or furniture, that is why I love them so much. I love reading the Charlotte's Web by E.B. White just as much as I did when my teacher read it to my 4th grade class. I realize that was what got hooked on books.

As my second child gets older she has read or I have read to her all of the books in her library and I realize that many of them are from when she was an infant and toddler.

In order to encourage my child to read books on her reading level or above I have decided to donate the books to a local daycare center. If the books are donated to a daycare they will continue to be used in an academic setting and children can benefit from them.

Since the books belong to my daughter I am going to let her decide which books she will keep and which books she will give away to the daycare center. It has to be her choice, because only she knows which ones are her favorite.

Before we donate the books, I am going to have her make personalized book plates for each book. The book plate will show who donated the books, date of the donation and the name of the daycare center they are for.

Quote of the Day

2009-07-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
- Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

Word Bank

2009-07-08T02:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

There are many ways to encourage your child to read.

Supplies needed: shoe box,index card (these can be white or you can choose the pastel color ones for fun), wooden or plastic letters

Have your child decorate the box to look like a bank or their favorite design.
First write down the words your child knows on the index cards
Put the alphabets in a line on the table
Start by helping your child read simple words like c-a-t

Source: 101 ways to get your child to read, Thomson

My First Teacher: My family

2009-07-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

"Parents and families are the first and most important teachers. If families teach a love of learning, it can make all the difference in the world to our children."
Richard W. Riley U.S. Secretary of Education

A parent who helps their child learn at home is preparing their child to be a more successful learner in and out of school according to educational research. Adult guidance is important at all times but especially important in the early years.

Since learning begins at home there are all sorts of activities the child can do at home to learn reading, writing, math and science.
B4 Literacy believes that if the child is having fun then the child is learning.

Look for posts entitled Home Learning Recipes for skills to use at home for Prekindergarten through 3rd grade students. These activities are designed to help build skills in reading, writing, math and science. This is a great way to use those leftover school supplies that your child brought home during the summer.

These activities were developed by the Home and School Institute.

A world of words

2009-06-30T02:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Words are everywhere in the world and are everywhere you go. Sometimes your child is reading words and you do not know it.

Let me give you an example: While my husband and I were driving to take care of some business one evening after, work our 7 year old daughter was in the back seat of the car. We did not realize that she heard us mentioned eating at a certain restaurant when we completed our business. As we were driving back towards the restaurant, both my husband and I could not find the restaurant that we knew we had driven past no more than 30 minutes ago. Our daughter must have realized that we were lost, because she said “I saw that restaurant we just passed it, Dad it is back there" (pointing in the opposite direction). Both my husband and I looked at each other strangely because we knew that surely our 7 year old daughter did not see the restaurant because we were looking for it and did not see it. Because our daughter sounded so sure of herself, she persuaded us turn the car around and go back in the opposite direction and sure enough the restaurant was where she said it was.

Both my husband and I learned that night to listen to your children because they know what they are talking about because they can and are reading!

Self-Help Skills

2009-06-25T02:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Self-Help Skills to determine what your child can do.

There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:

Washes and dries face
Rinses mouth after brushing teeth
Blows nose
Buttons front buttons
Zips front zipper
Puts on socks
Puts on shoes on left and right correctly
Dresses completely without assistance
Inserts belt in belt loops

Pre-Writing Skills

2009-06-23T02:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Pre-Writing skills to determine what your child can do.

There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:

Copies the letters of the alphabet
Draws a person with 2 body parts
Holds paint brush with thumb and fingers
Finger paints with fingers
Paints lines, shapes and dots
Copies shapes (square, circle, triangle, rectangle)
Copies simple words (yes, no, boy, girl)
Repeats 4 digits
Repeats 3 digits
Points to "big" objects when asked
Can place item in a cup or bowl
Can remove a lid from a box when looking for objects
Knows the difference between empty and full
Can match item
Can give you 3 items when asked
Can answer questions

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

B4 Literacy sends a special Father's Day greeting to all Fathers-to-Be and Fathers!

Always know that you are a pillar which holds the family foundation together!

A special Father's Day poem for Fathers from B4 Literacy

F - Faithful Fathers, you are a gem to behold
A - Always protecting, always bold
T - Teaching and leading by example, you are
H - Happy to see your fruits unfold
E - Every eye is watching your seeds as they grow
R - Remember they love you more than they can say and will try their best to show you on your special day!

Copyright, June, 2009

Brain Games

2009-06-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Did you know that writing Greeting Cards is a fun, yet educational way for your child to learn.
Supplies needed: card stock paper or blank greeting cards, envelopes, colored pencils, crayons or markers, stamps to mail the greeting card.

If your child is old enough to write letters have them write the words that they want to say. Do not worry about spelling, that is all in the fun of reading the card (this card of course will be one that the receiver will want to keep and compare with other cards as the child gets older and learns to write better.)

If you child is not old enough to write, have your child tell you what he/she wants to say and you write the card for them. It is important to write exactly what the child speaks no matter how it sounds. This too is the beauty of the card now and later on as other cards are compared.

Source: Brain Games for Preschoolers, Eion

Gross Motor Skills

2009-06-16T01:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Every child is different and develops at different rates. Here are a list of Gross Motor skill to determine what your child can do.

There are no wrong or right answers,this is a way for you to determine what milestones to expect and watch for:

Hangs from a bar on the playground
Touches toes with both hands
Marches rhythmically to music
Skips on 1 foot
Walks up and down a set of stairs alternating feet independently
Kicks a ball while standing still
Pedals tricycle around wide corners
Throws a ball overhand
Stands on tiptoes with hands on hips