Time and time again, studies show that students who learn to love reading are more likely to develop strong reading skills—not the other way around. Libraries can be powerful tools—in your classroom, school, and community—to encourage a love of reading and engage students in learning. Read on to learn about
When you read together with your child, there are moments when they suddenly grasp a new skill and smile with joy. Just then you may wonder, “What is going on inside their mind when they learn?” Researchers in neuroscience and education have been asking that same question for decades! All
Books are an excellent way to help children connect more deeply to science, technology, engineering, and math (or STEM) concepts they are learning in class. Plus, they practice reading skills as they strengthen STEM connections! These STEM books make great read-alouds and independent reading book choices for children at home
Written by Marika Ismail Director of Inclusive Curriculum at Waterford.org My 4-year-old son Niko recently started transitional kindergarten at our local elementary school. It’s been a rough time for us, with a few tears. Some days he tells me he’s scared and misses his friends from preschool. During the first
Creative writing has many benefits for kids. They learn to appreciate how stories work, they hear the wonderful way sounds can match with rhymes, and their love of reading grows as they become writers. Some children may be so inspired that they dream of being authors when they grow up!
In this week of Waterford’s Fundamentals of the Science of Reading article series, let’s explore phonics and decoding! Learn about research-based phonics instruction—with five free downloadable resources to share with teachers in your school! What Role Does Phonics Play in Reading Development? Neuroscience research tells us that the brain does
Looking for educational Halloween activities with all treats, no tricks? You’ve come to the right place! Here, you’ll find a total of 31 Halloween activities that you can use to teach or practice learning skills from home–one idea for each day of October. First, you’ll find 13 Halloween-themed STEM activities
Digital Citizenship Week is right around the corner. This year, it’s from October 17th to the 21st! Held every year by the nonprofit Common Sense Media, this event encourages families to teach their little ones the skills kids need to stay safe and informed online. But what are these skills,
International Literacy Day is a worldwide celebration that takes place on September 8. It is a wonderful event created by UNESCO in 1967 to encourage literacy and promote the value of teaching children to read. Keep reading to discover fun and engaging ways to celebrate all forms of literacy with
Keeping a journal can have many benefits for your child, whether they keep it by themselves or with your help. In addition to practicing writing, journaling can give children a way to capture their thoughts and memories. Plus, journaling can boost your child’s mood and mental well-being because it teaches
