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Oct 17, 2003 Issue
Subscribe now to BrainyZine to stay on top of the latest news on child brain development and early child development
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~ B R A I N Y - Z I N E ~
"Learn How to Nurture A Smarter Kid"
Volume #2 Issue #1 ISSN: 0219-7642 Oct 17, 2003
Andrew Loh, Publisher,
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By subscription only! You are receiving this newsletter
because you requested a subscription.
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S :
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(1) ~ EDITORIAL ~
(2) ~ ARTICLES - How Do I Know I am Being a Good Parent
Improve Child' Reading - Even Without Books ~
(3) ~ BRAINY PRODUCT ~
(4) ~ LATEST BRAINY NEWS ~
(5) ~ WHAT'S IN THE NEXT ISSUE ~
(6) ~ CONTACT US - Contact and Subscriber Information ~
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E D I T O R I A L - W e l c o m e !
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Hi Everyone,
It's hard to believe we're up to Volume 1 Issue 24 already! I start
the new Volume 2 Issue 1 today. Whoo-hoo! I've got 2 great articles
for you today, along with a few other tidbits that I hope you will
find interesting. Let's get straight to it!
Have a great week! Take care!
Andrew Loh
Publisher/Editor of the BrainyZine
andrew @ brainy-child.com
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A R T I C L E S
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~ How Do I Know If I Am Being A Good Parent? ~
by Ken Edelston
Often I hear parents expressing concern that their children are
not adequately prepared for life as an adult. Accompanying these
worries is an almost unbearable amount of self criticism in
relation to their parenting competency. These concerns are
similar to one another, but come in many shades. Here are a few
that I have heard, either as a counselor or in some other
situation. As you read down this list, I would suggest that you
consider the following questions. Listen to your thoughts. Do you
view the list as having nothing to do with you? Do you find
yourself criticizing the author of the list? Do you breathe a
sigh of relief, as you read an item and realize it isn't relevant
to you? Do you feel a tightening as you realize that the item is
relevant to you? Read on here.
~ Improve Child' Reading - Even Without Books ~
By Fran Santoro Hamilton
Parents want their children to be strong readers. They see reading ability as the ticket to a good college and a successful life. The first problem, however, may be getting children to read at all.
The best way to encourage reading is to make it enjoyable. Like the rest of us, children are likely to spend more time at activities they enjoy. Then they excel in those areas that command their time.
Some children, however, have such a strong aversion to reading that they can't start the upward spiral. Many of the following suggestions for parents will help these children improve vital comprehension skills -- even without a book in their hands. This can jump-start children's enjoyment of reading.
• Emphasize the importance of communication by modeling and expecting good listening. Be sure you have your child's attention before giving important information.
• Encourage your child to talk with you -- to share ideas, to ask questions. Prompt your child in order to probe more deeply or to clarify thinking.
• Help your child to recognize that things are not equally important. Help him identify relationships -- similarities, opposites, sequence, cause, examples, etc.
• Make vocabulary study a family activity.
• Do not push young children to read. They may learn to read using a part of the brain that will stunt reading ability forever.
• Read. Read to your child, with your child, in front of your child. Show that you value reading for both information and enjoyment.
• Read some of the books or topics your child is reading so you can share ideas.
• If you are reading to or with your child, pause occasionally to ask questions about the story. Include questions that don't have right and wrong answers.
• Help your child compare what is read with his own experience. Look for both differences and similarities.
• If your child enjoys being read to but doesn't like to read, have him evaluated by a developmental optometrist. A physical problem might be making reading uncomfortable.
• Lead your reluctant reader to books on topics of interest to him.
• Ignore oral errors if meaning is correct.
• If your child seems unaware of an error that changes or destroys meaning, ask at the end of the sentence, "Did that make sense?"
• Provide a variety of experiences for your child (these do not all need to cost money). Many comprehension problems arise because a child lacks background information.
• Do not force your child to read a particular book.
• Do not require that your child read every word of a book.
• Encourage your child to have a question in mind when reading for information.
• Provide practical reading experiences, such as reading directions or a recipe. Ask your child whether the writing could have been improved.
• If your child tends to ramble, occasionally have him stop, identify his main point, and deliver it concisely.
For recommended reading lists and suggestions of things parents can do to help their children succeed in school, visit
http://www.GrammarAndMore.com. Hands-On English offers additional tips for efficient reading and studying.
_________________________________________________________ B R A I N Y P R O D U C T
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~ Power Touch Learning System ~
By Fisher-Price
* Average Customer Review - 4.5 Stars
* Price - US$44.99
* Recommended age: 4 - 7 years
Puts the power of reading at your fingertips! Teachers encourage early
readers to follow along with their finger as they read or hear a story.
PowerTouch uses the same approach to bring books to life! Easy finger
touch activation and "auto page detection" lets kids turn to any page
in the paper books and immediately touch words or pictures for interactive responses. Features 60+ learning activities teaching reading, phonics, spelling, music math and more! See details here!
_________________________________________________________ L A T E S T B R A I N Y N E W S
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"Bachelor's Degrees Are The Best" for Raising Pre-Kindergarten Quality,
According to New Trust for Early Education Report
By USNewsWire.com
Today, the Trust for Early Education (TEE) released a new study by Marcy Whitebook, Ph.D., Director, Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley, showing that pre-kindergarten teachers with bachelor's degrees and specialized training in child development raise pre-kindergarten program quality and result in better outcomes for children. The report reinforces the importance of bachelor's degree requirements as a central part of the debate in federal and state pre-kindergarten reform efforts. Read more here.
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N E X T I S S U E
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Next issue, How safe is your children's vaccinations?
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C O N T A C T A N D S U B S C R I B E I N F O
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Editorial Contact - General comments/feedback
Andrew Loh - andrew @ brainy-child.com
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T H E E N D
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