DiscussionIs proper stroke order important when kids print letters?
When children are learning handwriting, it’s important to aim for “automaticity.” Automaticity refers to the ability to do something correctly from memory, with relatively little effort. As children learn the strokes to form letters in the same way, each time they write, they can achieve greater automaticity with handwriting. This incr...
Reading & Writing
My child still holds his pencil incorrectly. Should I worry?
Holding a pencil correctly can help avoid fatigue and cramping that can make writing difficult. Have your child rest the forearm in a neutral position on a flat writing surface. The hand should rest on the little finger allowing the wrist to move freely. The thumb needs to be in a position where it can provide resistance to the fingers...
Reading & Writing
My son asks me to read to him even though he can read. Should I?
Studies show that reading aloud to your child is the most important thing you can do to help build skills for future reading success. As children listen to books read aloud at any age, they can gain access to text that is more challenging than they could tackle on their own. This exposure helps young readers build oral vocabulary, prac...
Reading & Writing
When should my baby say her first word?
Some babies may utter their first words as early as 9 months of age. It’s important to note, however, that learning experts differ in how they assess whether a first word has been spoken. For example, some experts suggest that the first utterance of any word that sounds like a word used by adults, such as “dada” or “mama,” counts as a ...
Reading & Writing
My 3-year-old mixes up b's and d's. Is that normal?
Children who are just beginning to identify and write letters often confuse b, d, p, and q, reversing letters that share similar visual characteristics. Some children may continue to reverse letters into the second grade. Oftentimes, letter reversals subside as children get more reading and writing experience and build their awarenes...
Reading & Writing
The reading homework is not challenging for my child. Advice?
It sounds like your child is ready to engage in more independent reading to maintain a good level of challenge. Not surprisingly, research shows that the more children read the better readers they become, with a broader vocabulary and deeper knowledge about people and the world. Studies indicate that, on average, children who read more...
Reading & Writing
My toddler is learning at a preschool level but isn't ready for preschool. How can I challenge him?
This is a great opportunity to provide your toddler with printables and activities that challenge him to grasp early reading and math skills. Browse the Preschool and Pre-K printables and activities on Learning Path that focus on basic letter and number learning. Encourage your child to call out letters or words in books as you read to...
Reading & Writing
Can you recommend some holiday books for my toddler?
There are many fun books to get your child excited about the holiday! “The Night Before Christmas” by Rachel Isadora adds a modern twist to a classic favorite, and is beautifully illustrated using paper collage and oil paints. “Dream Snow” by Eric Carle is a wintery tale that really captures the snowy magic of the holidays. “Duck & Goo...
Reading & Writing
Why is learning to rhyme important to my son's development?
Research has shown that strong rhymers make good readers! The reason that learning to rhyme is so important is because it helps with phonological awareness. By listening to rhymes, your son begins to recognize that words share segments of sound (for example, cat and hat, share the sound “at”), and that words that have sounds in common ...
Reading & Writing
How can I help my son understand long vs. short vowels?
Remembering what sound each letter makes is crucial to learning how to read. Vowels can be particularly tricky for young children because they have both a long and a short sound. Make learning long and short vowel sounds fun by going on a short or long “vowel word hunt” in your house, the car, or the grocery store. Encourage your son t...
Reading & Writing
My preschooler loves drawing, coloring and listening to stories, but he doesn't write alphabet letters like the rest of his classmates. What would you suggest?
It sounds like your son really enjoys being creative, so try to introduce letter-writing activities that build on his love of drawing and coloring. Invite him to make animals or other fun drawings from basic letter shapes. For example, after he writes an uppercase B, encourage him to add black and yellow stripes and a pair of wings to ...
Reading & Writing
What holiday books should I read with my second grader?
There are many fun books to get your child excited about the holiday! “The Polar Express ” by Chris Van Allsburg and “How the Grinch that Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss are two great holiday classics. “Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas” by Julia Rawlinson is a wintery tale that really captures the magic of the holidays with some of ...
Reading & Writing