Melissa Maypole

Help! My Child Doesn't Like to Read - Red Apple Reading Express

Help! My Child Doesn’t Like to Read!

We all know the importance of reading in the lives of our children. As parents, we’re constantly getting newsletters from our kids’ teachers containing reminders to read, how many words a minute should be read, what the story of the week is, etc. Reading is the gateway to several different types of learning. Without a strong reading foundation, our kid’s progress in other academic subjects will suffer. But what if your child doesn’t like to read? Don’t despair! With a little creative thinking, you can help your child catch the reading bug. Here are a few hints to help you get started.

By Melissa Maypole, ago
Helping Your Child Thrive Socially - Red Apple Reading Express

Helping Your Child Thrive Socially

My Kindergartner came home a while back and matter-of-factly told me that she got kicked out of “the Katie club.” There are two other girls named Katie in her class, and they did what kids do—used what they had in common to create an exclusive club. Well, apparently changing your name isn’t the only thing that can get you booted from this particular club. You see, we live in Alabama, football capital of the world where even little girls talk about the game. On this particular day, the “Katies” allowed their fan allegiance to get in the way of their friendship, and the two War Eagles took a stand against my little Alabama fan.

By Melissa Maypole, ago
Pros and Cons of BYOD - Red Apple Reading Express

The Pros and Cons of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

If you have school-age children, there is a good chance that you have had or heard discussions about the BYOD initiative for schools. This concept encourages the student to bring his or her own technological gadget to school in order to aid in the educational process. The BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) initiative is gaining momentum and is already being instituted in many schools across the country. Consequently, a debate has been sparked over the positive and negative aspects such a program brings to the table.

By Melissa Maypole, ago
When Your Kid Doesn't Want to Go to School | Red Apple Reading Express

When Your Kid Doesn’t Want to Go to School

It is the rare child that wakes up every morning excited to attend school. Most of us have heard our kids say at one time or another, “I don’t want to go to school today!” Some infrequent, short-lived dislike of the school experience is normal, but what do you do when your child is suddenly and consistently upset about going to school? A few simple interventions could help you send your kid off with a smile on his face.

By Melissa Maypole, ago
Why Reading Fiction is Good for Kids | Red Apple Reading Express

Why Reading Fiction is Good for Kids

We can all remember the fun we had as kids pretending to live in another reality. I spent hours “teaching” imaginary students and playing with my stuffed animals. One day my mom was cleaning my room and put all my stuffed toys in the toy box. I was appalled! Didn’t she know they couldn’t breathe in there? Needless to say, I had a pretty active imagination. It’s good for our kids to have a healthy escape from reality as well. Fiction is the perfect opportunity for our children to take a little reality vacation!

By Melissa Maypole, ago
Too Much Screen Time or Not Enough? | Red Apple Reading Express

Too Much Screen Time or Not Enough?

We live in an age in which it is nearly impossible to escape interacting with electronics. The time spent in front of these electronic devices, sometimes referred to as “screen time,” is increasing with each passing year. As adults, it’s not unusual for many of us to spend the majority of our working day using a computer, not to mention constantly checking our cell phones throughout the day. Likewise, our children’s use of electronics is increasing, and they’re starting earlier and earlier these days. Therefore, it is useful to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of “screen time” for our children.

By Melissa Maypole, ago
Don't Forget to Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Today! | Red Apple Reading Express

Don’t Forget to Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Today!

Today is a day that is very DEAR to our hearts here at Red Apple Reading. It is so DEAR in fact that we would be DEARly disappointed if you didn’t help us celebrate. You see, today is not only DEAR children’s book author Beverly Clearly’s birthday, but it’s also national Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Day. Unless you have school-aged kids, then this may be your very first DEAR celebration, which makes it that much more special of course! According to the official DEAR website, all you have to do to participate is to read for 30 minutes today, but you do that every day, right? So, why not go all out? Here are some ideas for making Drop Everything and Read Day an experience that’s sure to become a DEAR memory for your little one.

By Melissa Maypole, ago
The Art of Reading Aloud to Your Child | Red Apple Reading Express

The Art of Reading Aloud to Your Child

Whether your child is three or thirteen, reading aloud to (or with) him is a great way to promote literacy skills while enjoying some time together as well. If you’ve never thought about reading aloud as an art, however, you might want to reconsider what story-time really means. Short of visiting an elementary school class to see a real artist at work, implementing a few simple strategies can help you turn read-alouds at your house from fun to fabulous!

By Melissa Maypole, ago
Bullying: What You Can Do About It | Red Apple Reading Express

Bullying: What You Can Do About It

Like most moms and dads, I happen to think my children are awesome. They’re cute, funny, and smart. I can’t imagine why anyone of any age wouldn’t want to hang out with them. I certainly can’t fathom why another kid would tease them at school, but bullying exists, and like other evils, it defies logic. Understanding why it happens may be helpful for the long-term, but in the short-term, we parents need to empower our children by preparing them for the worst.

By Melissa Maypole, ago