Every Child Deserves to Read with Confidence 

Saturday, September 9, 2023 by Demitra Bryant | Tips

Nurturing the Love for Reading in Your Child: Tips for Every Parent

As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the love for reading. Encouraging a passion for books not only unlocks the doors to knowledge but also sparks their imagination, fosters critical thinking skills, and instills a lifelong love for learning. If you're wondering how to kindle this love for reading in your elementary school-aged child, you're in the right place! In this friendly guide, I've share tips and tricks to make reading a cherished part of your child's life.

Tip 1: Start Early and Make It Fun

The journey of a book lover often begins in infancy. Surround your child with age-appropriate books from a young age. Board books with vibrant colors, textures, and simple stories are perfect for engaging their senses. Reading should be a delightful experience, filled with smiles, cuddles, and laughter.

Tip 2: Be a Reading Role Model

Children often mimic the behaviors they see in adults. If your child sees you enjoying a good book, they are more likely to want to read too. Make reading a visible part of your daily life. Share what you're reading with excitement and discuss books as a family.

Tip 3: Create a Cozy Reading Nook

Design a special reading space in your home—a cozy nook with comfy cushions and well-lit shelves filled with books. Make it inviting, so your child feels drawn to spend time there. Let them choose books from their nook to read independently or with you.

Tip 4: Visit the Library Regularly

Libraries are treasure troves of books, offering a vast array of choices for all ages. Take your child to the library regularly. Let them explore and pick books that interest them. Libraries often host storytelling sessions and reading-related events, which can make the library a fun outing.

Tip 5: Explore Various Genres

Don't limit your child to one genre. Explore a wide range of books, including fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mysteries, and more. Let them discover what types of stories captivate their imagination. Diversity in reading material can be enriching.

The next blog will feature 5 more tips. 

Happy Reading!

Sunday, July 9, 2023 by Demitra Bryant | Fun Reading Activities

Beyond the Pages: 

Inspiring Learning at Tellus Science Museum        

In a world often dominated by textbooks and traditional educational resources, it's crucial to remember that learning can occur in the most unexpected spaces. With their captivating exhibits and interactive displays, museums offer a wealth of knowledge and a unique avenue for expanding our understanding of the world. One such extraordinary museum is the Tellus Science Museum, where the wonders of science, history, and nature converge.

The Tellus Science Museum isn't just a place for passive observation; it is a treasure trove of opportunities for reading and learning beyond textbooks. Let's take a closer look at three remarkable exhibits that demonstrate the incredible power of reading in a museum setting.

This is my daughter, Anissa, and she has been enjoying the museum since she was a little girl. In fact, she told me while we were at the Tellus that she remembered being in a stroller looking at exhibits. Guess what? She was right. I lived in New York at the time and we would do a lot of sightseeing on the weekends. The exhibit she was referring to was at The Museum of Natural History in NYC. I'm so glad that this was fond memory for her. She was three years old at that time. 

Our first gallery visit for the day was the Weinman Mineral Gallery. Both of us are huge mineral and gem fans so, we were eager to make this our first stop. Look at the enormous amethyst geode behind us! It weighs 4400 lbs, stands 7 feet by 5 feet, and was located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and considered to be one of the largest in the world. 

Mineral Gallery: 

Step into the Mineral Gallery, and you'll find yourself immersed in a dazzling world of colors, shapes, and textures. Beyond admiring the sheer beauty of minerals, reading informational panels provides valuable insights into their formation, geological significance, and cultural importance. Engaging with interactive displays allows visitors to learn about the properties of minerals and test their knowledge through quizzes and activities. Visitors expand their understanding of these natural wonders by reading and absorbing the information presented.

Reading Activity

Scavenger Hunt: Create a museum-themed scavenger hunt where you and your children have to read exhibit descriptions, signs, or information panels to find specific details or answers to questions. This activity encourages close reading and enhances observation skills. 

Conversational Activity

Fact or Fiction: Select a few interesting facts or stories from the museum exhibits and create a "Fact or Fiction" game. Your child can read or listen to the statements and decide if they are true or false. Then you can engage in a conversation by discussing the correct answers and encourage your child to explore further to find supporting evidence. 

Anissa and I spent almost two-hours in this gallery and learned more about gems. In another blog, I'll share with you the collection of gem pictures we took during our visit to The Museum of Natural History in 2021. 

Onward to the next gallery. 

The Crossroads Gallery: 

Transport yourself back in time where vintage motorcycles, model trains, and historical communication devices await. Reading about the stories behind these artifacts deepens our appreciation for their significance. Informative displays provide context,  historical facts, and cultural impact, allowing visitors to delve into the rich narratives that shaped transportation and communication history.

Reading Activity

Artifact of the Day: Choose one artifact or exhibit and read further about the artifact. Sparking curiosity fosters a deeper connection. In fact, making connections is one of the reading comprehension strategies students need to learn and master in order to improve critical thinking. 

Writing Activity 

Create a Museum Brochure: Have you child design their own museum brochure highlighting their favorite exhibits or attractions. They can include descriptions, images, and interesting facts about each exhibit. Then you can engage in conversation by discussing your child's choices and asking them to explain why they found those exhibits fascinating. 

Tellus Fossil Gallery:

Enter a world millions of years old in the Tellus Fossil Gallery. Here, reading takes on a whole new dimension as visitors explore the remnants of prehistoric life. By engaging with informative displays and listening to knowledgeable guides, visitors discover the incredible stories locked within the fossilized remains. Learning about the creatures that once roamed the Earth fosters a deep appreciation for the evolution of life and the scientific discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the past.

Reading Activity 

Interactive Read-Aloud: Select a captivating book from either the museum, library, or Amazon related to the museum's theme or exhibits, and do a live read-aloud session video on your phone, tablet, or social media. Encourage family members, friends, colleagues to follow along or discuss their thoughts about the story and connect it to the museum experience.  

Role-Playing Activity 

Interview a Museum Guide: After the visit, ask your child to imagine they are a journalist interviewing a museum guide or expert. They can create a list of questions to ask about their favorite exhibit or a topic of interest. Then you can engage in a conversation by role-playing the interview by taking turns as the journalist and parent as the guide. This fosters communication skills and deeper understanding. 

The Tellus Science Museum exemplifies the notion that reading and learning go beyond the confines of textbooks. Each exhibit becomes an immersive learning experience, where reading informational panels, engaging with interactive displays, and listening to guides foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter. By embracing the power of reading in a museum setting, visitors can expand their horizons, ignite their curiosity, and discover new paths of knowledge. So, let us venture beyond textbooks and unlock the captivating world of learning that awaits us at museums like Tellus Science Museum.

Sunday, June 11, 2023 by Demitra Bryant | Uncategorized

Motivating Your Child to Read More

Yea! Summer is here and the kids are out of school but now there may be a bigger issue. After months of school, you're afraid that your child may lose the skills learned throughout the school year. So what are you going to do? 

Children who read more develop better reading skills and a greater love of reading. Take steps at home and school to encourage your child to appreciate books. It will enrich their lives and prepare them to succeed in the classroom and in their future careers.

Steps to Take at Home

1. Read out loud together. Bond with your child by sharing a good book. When they're old enough, take turns having them read to you or to their younger siblings. Let them sound out a word until they're ready for you to prompt them.
    

2. Visit your local library. Your local library is a treasure house of literacy ideas. In addition to borrowing books, check out the story hours, trivia nights and other events.
    
   

3. Play word games. Design your own flashcards with words and pictures. Play board games that focus on spelling and vocabulary. Leave each other messages spelled out with magnetic refrigerator letters.
    

4. Schedule related outings. Make books more exciting by creating an adventure around them. Read guide books about your vacation destination. Read a play and then go see the performance.
    
   

5. Create a home library. Build your own library at home. It can be a separate room or just a corner set aside for a bookcase, comfortable armchair and good lighting.
    
   

6. Suggest writing projects. Compose your own books. Help your child pick out a blank journal they can fill in. If your child is too young to write, they can dictate to you and draw pictures to accompany the text.
    
   

7. Integrate reading into daily routines. Use household chores and leisure pastimes as an opportunity to practice reading. Ask your kids to tell you what's printed on a restaurant menu or a road sign.
    

8. Limit television viewing. Is television crowding out time for reading in your home? Experts suggest restricting screen time to two hours a day or less.
    
   

9. Be a good role model. Set a good example by letting your kids see you reading. Explain how reading is relevant to your life. Discuss your books with each other.
    
   

Steps to Take at School

1. Get to know your child's teacher. Attend open houses and volunteer at your child's school. Make it a point to greet the teacher when you pick up your child and drop them off.
    

2. Work as a team. Collaborate with the teacher and other school officials. Listen to their suggestions with an open mind and be respectful but persistent in getting the support you need. Ask the teacher for recommendations for reading materials, especially during the summer and other breaks. 
    
   

3. Stay in touch. Consult the teacher for the best way to stay in touch with them, whether it’s by email, phone or conferences. Maintain a regular schedule of progress reports.
    
   

4. Screen for learning disabilities. If your child is struggling with reading, early testing is critical to identify any learning disabilities and arrange special instruction. Your pediatrician can also help rule out health related issues that could affect learning like hearing or vision problems.
    

5. Ask for additional support. You'll be happy to know that about 95 percent of kids who have trouble reading catch up to grade level if they get help before the second grade. Ask your school about having a reading specialist work with your child in an individual or small group setting. If you need more assistance than the teacher can provide, schedule a meeting with the principal.
    
   

Literacy is one of the most precious gifts you can share with your child. Help them discover the pleasures of reading so they'll have a richer life.

Have a GREAT week! 

Snt. Demitra Bryant M.ED