Breakfast is the fuel that gets not just the body moving but also the brain. The body wakes up craving water and nutrition to function properly. A healthy and nutrient rich breakfast is vital to your child’s growth and health while giving them an advantage on their daily intake requirements of vitamins and minerals.

As adults we use the excuse of time constraints and busy schedule to skip meals. Our children have no excuse to not eat properly. Parents need to ensure their children are waking in enough time to have a balanced meal before heading off to school. A meal packed with smart choices is important not a meal packed with whatever. Fruit, juice, milk and yogurt is a simple plan, something any family can accomplish. Donuts and other sweets only offer a short-term full belly. Pack their meal with protein and know that their meal will get them through classes and recess with the brain power and energy needed to have a successful day.

Simple Breakfast Ideas:
Yogurt or Oatmeal with fruit and nuts
Whole grain waffles or pancakes with peanut butter and bananas
Fresh fruit smoothie
Eggs, any style cooked with little fat
Ready to eat whole grain cereals with low fat milk

Let’s not forget those people who aren’t traditional breakfast eaters (I’m one of them). They shouldn’t be forced to eat what they don’t enjoy. Their bodies still require the fuel you just may have to try a different approach to food. Offer items that still pack in the nutrition but are have a different flavor profile.

Breakfast Alternatives: (include milk and juices to round out nutrients)
Cheese on whole grain toast
Peanut Butter on whole grain crackers
Granola bars
Anything leftover from dinner tucked into a tortilla

The point of breakfast is to get kids out the door ready to battle the day armed with power, energy and strength. Studies show those that skip meals often feel tired, grumpy and lack concentration. Give your kids the best chance at school and on the playground by keeping their bodies stimulated and productive.

When my oldest was just starting to really understand his colors and shapes during preschool years, I found myself in need of a serious distraction to keep him well behaved while we had a long wait in the car. Growing up we always played I Spy and Twenty Questions on trips, but I knew he could not play those, yet, or so I thought. Playing I Spy with a young child in a parked car is a lot easier than playing while the car is moving. His little eyes could not take everything in fast enough while moving, so I took advantage of the time we had in the parked car. Plus, remember I was desperate for any distraction! With a little trial and error tweaking, we suddenly came up with a game that ended up entertaining, educational and one he could not get enough of. He still loves it three years later. I also blame my youngest child’s success on learning colors and basic shapes so quickly on her desire to play this game with us!

Image: t0zz / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Here is an example of how we played it. This is a typical conversation when we first started:.

Player 1 (Adult): I Spy with my little eye something green. (A tree)

Player 2 (Child): That! (pointing at a yellow sign)

Player 1: No, that is yellow. That is not what I Spy.

Player 2: That! (pointing at a green bush)

Player 1: That is green, but that is not what I Spy.

Player 2: That! (pointing at a tree)

Player 1: Yes! A green tree is what I Spy!

Player 2: Again!

We focused on shapes and colors in the beginning and eventually moved on to letters and numbers. I kept it general for the first couple of years. Meaning, that if he pointed at any tree and the tree was the “I Spy item”, then he got it. I was also the only one who got to be Player 1 at first as he gained confidence in his finding skills. Once he understood the game enough to be Player 1, I discovered he would do the exact same thing I did, “nope, that is a square not a circle. That is not what I Spy.” Playing the game this way allowed us to make it as simple or as challenging as we needed it to be.

I  have been so excited with simplicity of this game and how much my kiddos love it. I believe it has not only helped teach them their shapes and colors, but helped them improve their communication skills, practice turn taking and expand their attention spans.

What are your family’s favorite games to play?

* Feature Image: Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

While a child learns to read the letters and sounds, he continues to practice his comprehension skills. While so much time is spent teaching students that symbols that are called letters make sounds and these sounds push together to make words, it’s often forgotten that those word-sounds won’t make very much of a difference if a child doesn’t comprehend what he’s reading,

Last week, I met with our school principal. As we discussed my son’s progress in school and his reading abilities, I was reminded of some very basic questions regarding reading,

The Modus Operandi* of the reading process

1. Is he able to read?
2. Is he comprehending?
3. Does he internalize the stories?
4. How does he express connections?

Is he able to read?

Reading is a several-step process Parents of a budding readers, no matter their child’s skill or quickness to pick up the process, recognize that students reach an independent reading level at different times. This question, while it seems simple to answer, is quite and in depth one. Reading isn’t only the sounds, it’s recognizing that the sounds make words which together make a story, and truly understanding the story that he reads or listens to. Only when a child can read and understand, is he truly able to read.

Is he comprehending?

Comprehension and understanding go hand-in-hand. A child who listens to what others say, or what he reads and acts on that knowledge is showing signs of comprehending.

Does he internalize the stories he reads?

The next step in reading is when a child takes the story or knowledge and applies it internally. Think back to a time that your dreams revolved around a story that you’ve read or imagined or you began imagining yourself as a part of the story. When a story becomes a part of a reader and lives within, he internalized the reading.

How does he express his connections to the story?

The final step in the modus operandi is reached when a reader takes the story and makes a connection to his own life or surroundings. A child who is reading a story of Greek Mythology may begin explaining that a seed is sprouting with the help of Persephone or a bolt of lightening represents the anger of Zeus. In these cases, the reader is connecting his life and his surroundings to something that he read.

How can parents assist children to progress through the Modus Operandi of reading?

It’s important to remember that reading comprehension is much more than learning letter sounds or even reading the words in a book out loud. Continue to read to your child to help them improve their listening comprehension skills which will, in turn, strengthen their reading skills. Have conversations about what they are reading. Challenge children often with new stories, rather than repeating old favorites again and again. (There’s nothing wrong with repeating old favorites, but throw in some new stories to assess their skills.)

*Modus Operandi is a latin term meaning mode of operating or working. (dictionary.com). For the purpose of teaching reading skills and talking with parents, I created the term “Modus Operandi of reading.”

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• Use a video recorder to tape a family member reading a child’s favorite book to them, the child can watch these on a portable DVD player in the car, while traveling, or on the television at home.
• Purchase a recordable story book, such as those offered by Hallmark, DaySpring, and Record-A-Story.  These can be read anytime, and anywhere.
• Use an AnyBook Reader to record the reading of each page of your child’s favorite book, the child simply taps the reader onto a special sticker on each page to hear the story being read.  The benefit of this option is you can attach the stickers to any book, whether you purchase a new book from a bookstore, or place the stickers in a tried and true favorite from home.

Only hearing their loved ones voices on the phone, or via Skype is a thing of the past.  Your children will retain such a special bond as they lay in bed at night watching, or listening to their parent or grandparent reading them a story in bed and saying goodnight to them.  Have early readers follow the story by pointing to the words as they are read, they will gradually begin to memorize the story, and thus the words being read to them.

We have been through a number of long military deployments and having family living both overseas and on the other side of the country mean that our children go through long periods of time without seeing the special people in their life in person.  They absolutely love being able to hear that persons voice.   We also find these recordable books extremely helpful in the evenings.  We can read to one child, while the other opens up a recordable story book, then we switch over.  There is no more whining or falling asleep as one child waits for us to finish reading to the first child.

We have done this several times with my ten-year old when he was younger so now it was my seven year-old’s turn to set up shop and sell some refreshing drinks to our neighbors.  And sell she did!

Before we could sell anything, we had to stock up on supplies.  We started first by making our grocery list of items that were needed to sell her lemonade.    My daughter wrote most of the list so this gave her a chance to practice writing and spelling.  On our list we had cups, lemonade, fresh lemons, and cookies.   While I went to the store to pick up her items, she stayed behind and decorated her poster board to advertise her stand.   We talked about a price point for her “product,” where she would put it on her board, and then off to the store I went. When I returned, she had a beautiful sign all ready to go.

We  carried our belongings to the corner of the street, close to the neighborhood pool and park, and before we knew it, my daughter had customers! She was counting change for customers, a math skill she is currently learning in math class.   Some of her customers tipped her pretty well so she was super excited about that! A few hours later, my daughter had made almost $10.00.  She thoroughly enjoyed  herself and had an opportunity to practice her math, art, and entrepreneurial skills in the process.

Want to do a lemonade stand with your kids? Check out my tips for success below!

Tips For Doing A Lemonade Stand With Kids

• Discuss shopping list items with the children; have children practice writing and spelling by allowing them to write out the list. Using art supplies and a poster board, allow children to decorate their sign.  Remind them to include the cost of the lemonade on the sign.
• Pick a safe location to set up shop, but also one where there will be people walking or driving buy.  Bring an umbrella as it can get very hot if there is no shade.
• Help children count the change to give to their customers and count their profit at the end of the day.
• If children use the money afterwards, discuss a budget as to how much they can spend on a toy.  At the store, allow your child to pay for their items.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Originally created in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running children’s literacy event in the country. Sponsored by the Children’s Book Council, the purpose of the week is to celebrate the power of books to transform the lives of children. Hundreds of events across the country are held each year in schools, libraries, and bookstores for the general public to enjoy!

Rusty and Rosy are supporting Children’s Book Week by giving a FREE copy of Henny Penny to everyone who “likes” our Facebook page this week. If you’ve already “liked” us, “share” the page with your friends and you’ll receive a free book too. It’s our way of celebrating this wonderful week dedicated to children’s reading.

To receive your copy of Henny Penny go here and follow the steps*.

For more information on Children’s Book Week, visit the official site here.

*No purchase necessary, shipping is free. We will contact you via the email address you provide after May 14 to request shipping information.

Good reading skills are crucial to every child’s long term educational success, so getting started early is important. You can help your child learn to love reading from the time they are born by taking time to read to your child. As your child grows, take time to practice rhymes, recite stories, and practice the alphabet together. Even very young children can practice writing their own names, which is a great way to connect literacy with writing.

You can help your child understand how words and meaning together by asking questions and talking about what you read with your child. Don’t forget to keep it fun by choosing books your child likes.

So most of our early reading activities have to be done at home or somewhere the younger ones can engage hands on and run – like a park or nature walk. This past year I have learned more about how to engage three kids in educational activities simultaneously than I have my entire life.  Nothing like being thrown deep in the water to teach you how to swim!

1. Be hands on
Get out the play-doh or other shape-creating objects (sticks, blocks, strips of fabric).  Set out one letter of the alphabet at a time and challenge them to make the letter with their tools. My 5 year old enjoyed making her L (her name is Lizzie). David wasn’t as able to make more than the O or L, but he did learn the letters as we played. And the baby was occupied so I could focus on the other two!

2. Change Activities Often
The rule of thumb is, kids have attention spans that equal one minute for each year of their life.  So I don’t expect my kids to engage in reading books together for more than 5 minutes at a time before we go to a new book or craft. Keep the activities simple – this is a wonderful tip for any young age group.

3. Involve real life objects
When we are on our walks, I pick up a rock and say, “What a huge rock! R-r-r – Rock starts with R!” I let my 5 year old spell it out with me.  And then I quickly focus on the 3 year old and point out lots of objects and just say their starting letter. “Leaf- L! Sky – S!’

I love learning that is so real-life that they don’t know they are learning!

4. Let the older teach the younger
Five year old Lizzie absolutely loves playing teacher. If David is in a good mood, he really loves to play school too. So I let Lizzie read David books and teach him her letters. Nothing like teaching a subject to really learn it!

5. Play games
This is my motto – make learning fun, not a chore! Some of my favorites include, “Ok guys, go pick up things around the house that start with the letter A!” Lizzie rushes around and David learns what does and does not start with A.
Then I also love playing with patterns.  I get the big leggos out (or other similarly colored toys) and arrange an AB pattern and ask them to complete it.

Going back to point number 4, I love to get Lizzie’s help creating a letter’s game for her and David.  Story telling games are very fun!

These are just 5 of my favorite tips – what are your tips?

We started with a stamped picture, made a vase/pencil cup then did a free form finger paint masterpiece. The stamped picture was simple and something almost any child can do just by changing up the tools and image desired. The vase is simple too but geared a little towards slightly older children with more developed fine motor skills. Younger children can participate in this craft with some instruction or different supplies.

Supplies Needed

• Yogurt or other narrow/tall container or jar
• Yarn, twine or ribbon, try old school LARGE yarn for littler fingers
• School glue
• Embellishment such as buttons, beads, foam shapes orfabric flowers

Instructions
Scrub clean and thoroughly dry your container. We used a Yoplait yogurt cup because that is what my daughter had with her breakfast. Also be sure your container is taller than wide, this help prevent tipping when full. Jars and cans can also be used easily. Spread a line of school glue from top to bottom of the container. Adhere the end of your chosen material to the glue and start wrapping. Dots of glue here and there will help keep the yarn or ribbon in place. Wrapping the container requires concentration and patience since it’s easy to get tangled up and going the wrong way.

Your kid may require some assistance to produce a fairly even pattern that covers as much of the container as possible. We finished it with a butterfly foam shape but a crystal button, fabric flower or other trinket would have worked well too. Let it dry for a couple of hours and your vase is finished. use any color to celebrate any holiday or season.

This craft utilizes items that would otherwise end up in the trash or recycle bin, yarn or ribbon that many of us have stashed away and glue. It’s few “ingredients” make it a great go-to for rainy days or last minute gifts for dads, uncles, teachers and friends.

What are you favorite Mother’s Day gifts you’ve received over the years?