Teaching the Alphabet to Your Child (business school in a box)
No commentsBy Marlin Rollins
One of the first steps in becoming a successful reader is to learn to recognize the letters of the alphabet. The alphabetic principle teaches that spoken language is represented by written words that are made up of varying combinations of letters, and that these letters and combinations of them make up all of the sounds in spoken language. Attaching sounds to these letters and learning to write them paves the way to successful reading and writing.
Learning to say their ABCs is a great start for any preschooler, but it is just as important for your child to learn the sounds of the letters. Preschoolers, who know the sounds of the letters of the alphabet, have an easier time learning to read.
In order to read, every child must know the sounds of the letters as well as the shapes and order. More than that he must be able to recall them quickly. When he sees the letter he should be able to say the letter or vocalize its sound without hesitation. This should happen whether he hears the letters in order or not.
While the alphabet song can be a fun way to start learning the ABCs it is not enough because children also need to be able to identify each individual letter. In fact, this skill is much more important than knowing where it falls in the alphabet as it is the key in learning to read.
Research shows it is important for young children to be able to:
Recognize and name letters
Recognize beginning letters in familiar words (especially their own name)
Recognize both capital and lowercase letters
Relate letters to the specific sounds they represent
Knowledge of the alphabet is the foundation to your child’s literacy development and you shouldn’t assume your child will learn this skill in kindergarten. Waiting until kindergarten to learn the ABCs will put your child behind many other students and may cause added stress.
Children who can read independently “translate” alphabet shapes accurately back into sounds. If we want our children to be able to read independently, we needed to teach them:
The shapes of the alphabet letters;
The various sounds of each letter;
The sounds made by combined letters.
You can start teaching the alphabet when your child is young. My son mastered his letters by his second birthday and I helped him do that without flashcards and without whining! He loves working with his “letters” and even now as he approaches his fourth birthday requests a particular game or activity. He doesn’t know he’s learning-he just thinks he’s having fun with his Mommy.
There are many ways that you can help your preschooler learn the sounds and names of the letters of the alphabet.
You don’t need expensive tools and programs and in fact many of those can be counterproductive as they make learning work. My greatest success was simply to work on letters in context with the world whenever he seemed open to the opportunity. The alphabet became simply a part of our daily life including errands and play time.
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Opening the Lines of Communication with Your Teenager
By Millard Franco
The teenage years are confusing for parents and teens alike. Kids that once seemed open and full of sharing suddenly withdraw.
As a parent, your primary concern may be fostering communication with your teen. Most parents struggle to get something other than a one word response from their teenager.
It’s important to understand that you have to be delicate when approaching your teenager. You want to engage your child in conversation without putting them on the defense or causing them to withdraw.
While this can be challenging, the rewards of doing this are great. There are a few key strategies you can adopt to ensure that you foster strong communication and good ties with your teenagers.
Ask Indirect Questions to Facilitate a Conversation. If you ask your teenager a direct question you’ll probably end up with a one or two word response. Your goal should be encouraging them to talk about things from a broader perspective. To engage your child in a conversation about a particularly issue, consider asking them about something related but not directly tied to the subject you are getting at. You’ll help them ease into a discussion of what is on their mind.
Talk With Your Teen About Their Interests. Take an active interest in your teens interests. If they are doing something you don’t know anything about, consider learning more about it so you can ask them interesting and exciting questions about their hobby or activity.
Listen to Your Teen and Avoid Lecturing. Most teens will shy away from conversation if their expectation from that lecture is simply a lecture. You want your teens to know that you are interested in what they have to say. Withhold judgment at first and allow them to speak their mind.
Pay Attention to Non-Verbal Language. Your teen can send you many messages about what is on their mind through their non-verbal communication. You can also engage them in communication by putting your arm around them or patting them on the back, encouraging them to open up to you.
Remember your goal should be sending the message to your teen that you are providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can share their deepest concerns, fears and interests without fear of immediate reprimand or judgment.
Always take the time to accept your teen’s feelings even if you don’t agree with them. You have to listen to your teen if you want them to open up. Avoid jumping in and offering suggestions immediately. Instead encourage your teen to look for answers in a positive way.
You can also encourage your teen to share more by sharing with them daily tidbits and insights into your life. Consider occasionally asking their advice or opinion on things.
You’d be surprised how much easier it is to get teens to open up once you adopt a few time tested strategies. Provide your children with a nurturing and loving environment, and they will more easily welcome you into their life.
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Dressing Your Little Girl
By Marlin Rollins
I admit it - I’m a total sucker for sugar and spice baby girl clothing. Give me lace and roses, hand-crocheted pinafores, add hand-smocked bodices and I’m in heaven. I’ve raised two little girls and had a hand in half a dozen nieces, and I’m here to warn you, ladies. If you love dressing up your little girl in ribbons and lace, indulge yourself as much as you can when she’s a baby - because it won’t be long before she’s choosing her own clothes. And honestly, the frilly styles I love just don’t suit the average active toddler. So — get it out of your system when she’s a baby - and take lots and lots of pictures.
Just for mothers like me, here are five classic looks for smartly dressed baby girls that will ensure that your little angel will never be mistaken for a boy - till she starts dressing herself, at least.
Hand-Smocked Polly Flinders Dresses
There is nothing in this world that says ‘little girl’ quite like a hand-smocked Polly Flinders dress. I was lucky enough when my youngest was an infant to find an entire box full of vintage 1950s Polly Flinders dresses, and buy them for a dollar apiece. If you’re not familiar with hand-smocked clothing or Polly Flinders, let me give you an idea of what a bargain this is: a search for Polly Flinders dresses this morning turned up a few dozen dresses, including several vintage dresses from the 50s and 60s. The prices ranged from $45 to $175.
The Sailor Suit
What do you get when you cross red satin ribbons, navy blue pin-dotsand a white embroidered collar? Add a pint-size sailor’s cap embellished with a satin ribbon and you have one of the most popular little girl baby dresses ever made - a very feminine twist on a little boy’s sailor suit. It was one of the classic styles of the 1940s, and never goes out of style.
Ruffled Pinafores
It’s a classic Alice in Wonderland little girl pretty - a gingham checked dress with puffed shoulders and a ruffled hem peeking out from beneath a starched pinafore. Pinafores started out as ‘aprons’ to help save the fancy dress beneath, but soon took on a style of their own. They slip on from the front, and button or tie at the back, and are meant to be worn over an under dress. Ruffled hems and shoulders and dainty embroidery are just a few of the things that make this classic baby clothing style special.
Ruffled Panties
Very little in this life is more adorable than rows of ruffled lace peeking out from beneath the hem of a smocked baby dress. Ruffle-bottomed diaper covers and fancy little embroidered bottoms that are meant to peek out beneath a dress are another of those classic baby girl looks that never age.
Velvet and Taffeta Roses
What’s the well-dressed baby girl wear on Christmas? Taffeta and velvet, with lace and roses at the waist of course. Be traditional with a red velvet bodice and ruffled plaid taffeta skirt, complete with a tiny satin rose at the lace-trimmed collar - or let your bolder side out and dress your little darling in black velvet and pink satin. My own favorite of all time was a pearl gray velvet dress with a white taffeta skirt accented with a full-blown satin bow in baby-soft pink.
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