activities

Enrich Your Child's Summer Reading

Enrich Your Child’s Summer Reading

Most high schools and some middle and elementary schools assign a list of books to be read before returning to school. So if you have school age children, chances are they are in the midst of their required reading. Many kids enjoy checking off their summer reading, but some (ahem, mine) chafe at the thought of being told what to read. Perhaps there is a way for parents to make the summer reading process more palatable for the kid who bucks against it as well as more enriching for the kid who enjoys it. Check out these summer reading enrichment activities from Red Apple Reading!

By Jennifer Campbell, ago

Preparing for Summer Break

With school wrapping up soon school children across the country are itching to begin their summer vacation. Parents, however, realize what a mixed bag summer break can be. We love a more relaxed schedule but hate fighting the battle against mind numbing entertainment. How can parents plan a balanced summer for their little ones? Can we really have a fun break that also includes some education and structure? Red Apple Reading is helping parents plan the perfect summer for their little ones

By Jennifer Campbell, ago

Earth Day for Toddlers

Do you think your little one is too young to appreciate Earth Day?  If you’ve been the parent of a toddler for any length of time, you understand just how quickly they are able to catch on to ideas. Toddler-hood is a great time to introduce your kiddo to good environmental conservation. A simple activity can go a long way in increasing your toddler’s awareness about environmental issues. Red Apple Reading has compiled a list of 10 simple Earth Day activities you can do with your toddler.

By Jennifer Campbell, ago

Spring into Creativity

Who doesn’t love the arrival of spring? The weather warms up, the flowers begin to bloom, and the days last a little longer. The advent of spring marks a newness of life; and the changes taking place outdoors seem to spark something inside of us as well. We’re inspired to try something different or make something new. In honor of the arrival of spring this year, why not take a little time to nurture your kid’s creativity?

By Jennifer Campbell, ago

Fun Book and Activity Pairings for Kids

What’s more fun than reading a good book? Pairing the fun book with a cool project, of course! If you want your kiddo to get the most out of her reading experience, try adding an activity that enhances the story and allows for further discussion. If you’re not sure where to begin, Red Apple Reading has a few ideas to help get you started. Check out these book/activity pairings

By Jennifer Campbell, ago

Fun Ways to Celebrate Presidents’ Day

Many of us are enjoying a long weekend since Presidents’ Day is this Monday.  While our federal government officially calls this American holiday “Washington’s Birthday”, it has come to be recognized as a time to pay tribute to both past and present Presidents. How is your family spending this holiday? Red Apple Reading has some ideas for celebrating Presidents’ Day with your family.

By Jennifer Campbell, ago

Literacy Crafts for Valentine’s Day

If you enjoy art projects you probably enjoy Valentine’s Day. It’s a holiday that just begs you to break out the glue, construction paper, and scissors and get crafty! Here at Red Apple Reading we think the only thing better than getting crafty on Valentine’s Day is mixing in a little literacy with the craft! After all, you might as well sneak a bit of learning into the fun 😉 This February 14th why not try out one of these literacy friendly Valentine’s crafts with your kiddo?

By Jennifer Campbell, ago

Helping Toddlers with Pre-Reading Skills

If you have a toddler at home, you may not have thought much about teaching her to read. Most parents of toddlers would be thrilled if their little one would just learn to keep their food on their plate! While most toddlers have several years before they begin to read fluently, there are some activities you can begin now in order to build a strong reading foundation. And trust us, your child will be in much better shape when starting school if you have already taken the time to do these things!

By Jennifer Campbell, ago

Summer Reading: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Once again the school year has flown by and summer is upon us. The break from school often creates mixed feelings for parents. You may be thrilled for your kids to have some down time but not relish the fight against television, video games, and social media. For me, summer reading has always been an important key to adding some loose structure to the break. However, reading can create mixed feelings in our kiddos: some are good, some are bad, and some are just plain ugly! Summer reading is important and can be enjoyable if you present it the right way to your children. If you’re looking for some fun ways to implement reading into your kid’s summer break, Red Apple Reading invites you to try some of the following suggestions!

By Jennifer Campbell, ago