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
Waterford Upstart and the What Works Clearinghouse What is the What Works Clearinghouse? Run by the US Department of Education, the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) catalog categorizes studies of learning programs, following their own educational standards and criteria. These rankings are shared with educators to provide an unbiased indication of
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
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
Starting kindergarten can be a big adjustment for both children and their families! Helping your child be fully ready for kindergarten can create a smooth transition to school. Your positive attitude will influence their feelings and get them excited for learning. When your child is prepared for kindergarten, they are
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
The key to lasting success in school is teaching academic skills as soon as a child is ready to learn. But how do we know when they’re ready? Is it ever too early to instill a love of reading? When Do Children Learn to Read? While most children begin reading
