Civics teaches kids about the rights each of us has as a citizen, as well as our responsibilities, such as voting or serving on a jury — and getting involved in our communities to make them better for all. Do you know any kids who are eager to volunteer in their communities? Or kids who are curious about the history of voting rights in the U.S., how a bill becomes a law, how we elect our President, and stories about life (and pets!) in the White House? We’ve gathered up a great collection of books for school and home. Find more books, plus activities, apps, and kid-friendly websites at Start with a Book: Civics and Our Government.
Is there anything more fun than getting mail? Get kids interested in reading with a subscription to one of these magazines recommended for kids up to age 12. Pictures, short stories, and activities open the door for even the most reluctant readers. Magazines can be a way for kids to relax with a good story on their own time — at home, after school, or in the car. And it gives them something to look forward to in the mailbox! To learn how teachers can use magazines for instruction, please see Magazines Make a Big Impact in the Classroom.
Music is a great way to introduce children to sounds and words! Research indicates that exposure to music has numerous benefits for a child’s development.
It is a new year according to the calendar, but in most schools, we’ve just reached the half-way point. Resolve to be involved in your children’s education in new ways this year. Studies show that kids whose parents are involved in their education have better grades, a better attitude toward school, and more appropriate school behavior than those with less involved parents.
Read about it, talk about it, and think about it! Find ways for your child to build understanding, the ultimate goal of learning how to read. The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.
Children’s author and illustrator Rosalyn Schanzer views history as series of grand adventures full of fascinating people — stories just waiting to be told. And she loves to tell them, bringing real-life characters like George Washington (and that other George, King George III), Benjamin Franklin, Charles Darwin, Lewis & Clark, Davy Crockett, and others to life through vivid storytelling and rich-in-detail illustrations. Extensive research, humor, and an understanding of human nature are at the heart of all her nonfiction books for kids.
Scholastic Parents provides information about child development, tips on how to support your child’s academic and social growth in school, booklists, and themed activities for learning at home..
Children are full of questions about the world around them, and summer is a perfect time to tap into your child’s interests. Here are some ways to start a journey of discovery together.
Any effort to increase third-grade reading proficiency should maximize the summer months as a time to catch up, stay on track, and remain healthy. Equipped with the right information, tools, and supports, parents can make sure their children have healthy and enriching summers. The guide includes these recommendations to support summer learning: engage children in enriching summer activities at home or in the community; use technology to facilitate ongoing learning, especially during the summer; and encourage, support, and model healthy eating and fitness.
Dads play a critical role in their preschoolers’ literacy development. Here are a few suggestions to help fathers strengthen their literacy connections with their children.