Online Reading

Do your children spend long hours at the computer? Probably they do, and as you know it is very important that you supervise the sites their access and all their online activities. However, not all is bad online, in fact there are many great sites that offer children the opportunity to have fun and learn simultaneously. One of my favorites is We Give Books at www.wegivebooks.org At this site children will have the opportunity to read wonderful stories, and while practicing their reading skills they will support a campaign to donate books for different causes. Children's Storybooks Online http://www.magickeys.com/books/ also offers a great selection of stories for young children. Storynory at http://storynory.com/ has free audio stories that include the classics and new stories from around the world. Between the Lions, from PBS Kids - http://pbskids.org/lions/stories/ has wonderful folktales that will definitely entice and entertain your children.

Summer Reading List

Summer is here and our little ones are at home resting from a very intense and, hopefully, productive school year. Remember that in order to avoid summer loss the best you, the parent, can do is to set aside a time  time for reading every day. Whether your child reads by himself, you read to him, or you both read together, reading for 15 to 30 minutes every day would support your child to maintain the skills learned throughout the year. If you would like some suggestions for books or other reading material, visit your public library and ask the librarian for suggestions about up-to-date materials that support your child's reading interest. In addition, the Houston Area Independent Schools Library Network, has put together books recommendations for students of different ages and grade levels. Here is a link to this list.

Is your Child Dyslexic?

Dyslexia is in part the result of inefficient phonological processing; children with dyslexia lack the ability to sort out, analyze, and sequence sounds heard in spoken language. Dyslexia accounts for approximately 80% of all diagnosed learning disabilities. The most common difficulty for children with dyslexia is in learning to read, write, spell or do math, although some children might show problems in acquiring spoken language.

While the most common indicators of dyslexia is the reversal of letters and numbers, sometimes, it’s important to understand that often these signs might just express a developmental stage of the child. Sometimes children with dyslexia may show problems recalling certain words and word sequences (days of the week, months of the year, etc.); they also show difficulties organizing thoughts, memorizing information, understanding intended meaning.

Looking for signs:

If your child is in pre-school notice if he has difficulty: learning numbers or the alphabet, identifying rhyming words, or remembering colors.

For children in the elementary grades the alarming signs may include difficulties in sounding our words, reversing numbers or letters, persistent errors in reading or spelling, remembering facts such as math facts and even misunderstanding arithmetic signs.

Dyslexic students in middle school tend to show difficulties in reading comprehension, concentrating and paying attention. They usually struggle with writing assignments and show poor spelling. They lack organizing, planning, and managing skills which affects their ability to complete assignments.  For students in high school and above, dyslexia also impacts their ability to remember, retrieve, and comprehend detailed and or complex information.

While these are only some of the signs of dyslexia, it’s important that as a parent you are aware if any of these appear consistently and affect your child’s academic progress. Talk to your child’s teacher and look for the professionals in the school system to assist you in determine if your child might be dyslexic.

On the bright side, remember that many people from scientists to artists are affected by dyslexia, yet they have been able to overcome it and succeed.

For additional information visit:

The International Dyslexia Association

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Avko: Educational Research Foundation
Reading from Scratch

More Benefits from Physical Activity

The benefits of physical activity have been extensively discussed. We know that it promotes health and fitness, prevent illnesses and supports positive attitude. While being physically active is important at any age, it’s especially significant for children. Now we have additional evidence of its benefits: it promotes academic achievement. In a study recently published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, researchers have established the links between children who routinely engage in physical activities and their success in the classroom. While more studies are suggested to identify how one influences the other, we can safely assume that increasing children’s play time at home and in school –away from video games and other sedentary activities- would promote better health and school success.

You can find additional information about this report in Education Week.