Back to School

The holidays are over, the kids are back to school - and for some, this means beginning year one, taking the first exciting steps into "big school", and wading a bit deeper into the refreshing waters of lifelong reading!

To help your child have the best chance of learning success at school, give them lots of opportunities to read aloud at home. Inspire your young reader to practice every day! Reading Rockets has put together some tips for parents of first-graders that offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader.

Try a new tip each week, and see what works best for your child.

Don’t leave home without it.	-	Bring along a book or magazine any time your child has to wait, such as at a doctor’s office. Always try to fit in reading!
- - -
Once is not enough.	-	Encourage your child to re-read favorite books and poems. Re-reading helps kids read more quickly and accurately.
- - -
Dig deeper into the story.	-	Ask your child questions about the story you've just read. Say something like, “Why do you think Clifford did that?”
- - -
Take control of the television.	-	It’s difficult for reading to compete with TV and video games. Encourage reading as a free-time activity.
- - -
Be patient.	-	When your child is trying to sound out an unfamiliar word, give him or her time to do so. Remind your child to look closely at the first letter or letters of the word.
- - -
Pick books that are at the right level.	-	Help your child pick books that are not too difficult. The aim is to give your child lots of successful reading experiences.
- - -
Play word games.	-	Have your child sound out the word as you change it from mat to fat to sat; from sat to sag to sap; and from sap to sip.
- - -
I read to you, you read to me.	-	Take turns reading aloud at bedtime. Kids enjoy this special time with their parents.
- - -
Gently correct your young reader.	-	When your child makes a mistake, gently point out the letters he or she overlooked or read incorrectly. Many beginning readers will guess wildly at a word based on its first letter.
- - -
Talk, talk, talk!	-	Talk with your child every day about school and things going on around the house. Sprinkle some interesting words into the conversation, and build on words you’ve talked about in the past.
- - -
Write, write, write!	-	Ask your child to help you write out the grocery list, a thank you note to Grandma, or to keep a journal of special things that happen at home. When writing, encourage your child to use the letter and sound patterns he or she is learning at school.

Visit www.ReadingRockets.org for more information on how you can launch a child into a bright future through reading.

ClayPlay for Creative Kids

Little fingers love clay because its shape changes fast enough to keep up with their quick minds. ClayPlay involves toddlers in keen observation of how objects interact with their environments, while celebrating clay's endless possibilities. What will the clump of clay become this time? Elephants playing catch with a coconut? A tractor tilling the soil? Clay can magically become anything and everything. ClayPlay stimulates tots' creativity, and gives them a sense of their own vast potential.



Why don't you make your own "play dough" at home?

Best Recipes had this easy recipe you can try:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup salt
1 cup plain flour
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
food colouring

Method:
1. Mix all ingredients together in a medium-sized saucepan.
2. Stir over heat until dough is pliable.
3. Allow to cool and store in a well sealed plastic bag or container.

Play dough made using this recipe should last for months if kept in the fridge.

Have fun with it!

This Little Pig went to the Library...

...because this little pig didn't want to stay home...
This little pig wanted to make something,
and this little pig wanted a song...
And this little pig said "Read it again!"
All the way home!

Trot into the Busselton Library at 10am on Wednesday 13th April for another free storytime session... this time it's all about PIGS!

Storytime sessions at the Busselton Library are aimed at children 3 to 5 years of age, and no bookings are required - contact the Busselton Library on (08) 9754 1588 for more info.

If You're Happy and You Know It...

Would you take up an activity, or encourage your children to engage in it, if you knew that it could reduce the risk of dyslexia and dyscalculia, improve cognitive abilities, social integration, handwriting and spelling and make you feel more focused and less tense?

An Israeli researcher has recently conducted the first-ever study of hand-clapping songs, which has revealed a direct link between those activities and the development of important skills in children and young adults.

See Israel21c's article on the study here.

Libraries make good use of hand-clapping rhymes in regular Storytime, Baby Bounce and Toddler Time sessions - contact your local library to find out what free programs are available in your area.

Positive Parenting Seminars

Managing children’s behaviour can be challenging at times for most parents. Parents are invited to attend free parenting seminars facilitated by a child health nurse to learn practical, positive and effective ways to manage common behavioural problems, and ways to help achieve their best at school and in the future.

Parents may choose to attend one, two or three of the seminars and is aimed at parents of children aged between 3-8 years.

The topics are: The power of Positive Parenting, Raising Confident Competent Children and Raising Resilient Children.

No cost. Bookings essential. Contact your Child health nurse on 9752 1935.

Programs dates are available for viewing on the Parenting Programme Calendar page.

Child Resuscitation Awareness

St. John Ambulance Busselton is looking for expressions of interest in the holding of a Child Resuscitation Awareness course. This very valuable skill is available at $35.00 and provides basic child life support skills for all child minders.

For enquires and registration ph: 08 9752 3866

Office hours: Mon to Thurs 8.30 to 12.00 noon

Children love to read and be read to

Your public library is a great place for finding books to read for fun and pleasure. There is a strong link between community health and wellbeing and the use of libraries. Read to your children from a young age and see the benefits in their success in literacy and academic success.

Better Beginnings for Families

This programme has been developed for families with children aged 0-3 years. The aim is to encourage the development of literacy and a love of books and reading. Further information is available through your local library, health nurse and the State Library of WA, or by going to the Better Beginnings website.