| So you've got a non-reader on your hands, and you | | | | come up with the most intriguing and effective headline |
| want to ensure those print skills don't slip during the | | | | possible! |
| summer. What can you do to practise reading and | | | | |
| writing in a fun way for a few months? | | | | Board Games |
| Here are some ideas to try. | | | | Lots of board games involve reading, so clear off the |
| | | | coffee table and have family game night once a |
| Books They Can't Resist | | | | week. You can ask one child to be the designated |
| Find the most enticing books you can for your child at | | | | "card reader" when playing Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, |
| the local bookstore or library. How-to books that | | | | CSI, or other popular board games. |
| capitalize on a current interest such as star-gazing or | | | | |
| jewellery-making are often good bets. Look for titles | | | | Kitchen Science Activities |
| that provide the craft supplies right with the text | | | | Many online science activities for kids can be done in |
| (extremely handy and often cost-effective). Avoid | | | | your kitchen or livingroom, and most involve free |
| selecting what interests you; select what your child | | | | downloadable instructions. Encourage your child to do |
| finds interesting. | | | | some of these activities with friends--there's some |
| Don't forget the local science store, where they stock | | | | nice reading involved. (Same goes for cooking.) NASA, |
| great titles on the yuck factor. True, the science of | | | | for example, has a great downloadable on making |
| human gas may not be your thing, but it may be | | | | your own 3-D glasses, complete with glasses |
| irresistible to your child. Hold your nose and get out | | | | template. |
| your wallet: it's all reading and it's all good. | | | | |
| | | | Food Literacy |
| Visit a How-To Website Together | | | | Speaking of food, many family restaurants have |
| I'm amazed at the quality of how-to sites out there | | | | extensive menus. Read the menu together and talk |
| right now. Many provide step-by-step instructions on | | | | about the words and ingredients that are unfamiliar. |
| doing most everything from making your own standee | | | | Instead of having your usual meal, read the Appetizer |
| to announcing that you're adopting, and they usually | | | | section and order a bunch of new dishes with new |
| include instructive photos or video. Find an online | | | | names. |
| activity your child would enjoy doing and encourage | | | | |
| her to read the instructions with you. | | | | The World of Lists |
| | | | What does your child want to do? Buy? Give away? |
| Headline/News Article Generators | | | | Dare to dream about? Ask her to make a list over the |
| These websites allow kids to create their own | | | | summer and share it with you from time to time. Lists |
| headlines and write their own brief news stories. Hit a | | | | can be word-processed and decorated digitally or |
| button and presto! Your child receives an authentic | | | | printed and decorated with foil papers, stickers, and |
| looking newspaper clipping with his own wacky | | | | decals. |
| headline, and a url to send to friends and family | | | | Reading and writing are considered fundamental skills |
| members. | | | | because you need these skills to do most everything |
| This one simple activity combines writing, spelling, and | | | | else. By providing a variety of reading and writing |
| e-mail skills and introduces your child to the basics of | | | | activities this summer that keep your child in a |
| media literacy. And because the articles are short, this | | | | high-interest zone, you can have fun and ensure those |
| writing task is not too onerous. Challenge your child to | | | | skills stay razor-sharp. |