I was blessed as a child to have a mom who knew how to make fun. Precious memories, I see their value clearly as I share the transmitted joys of learning and creativity with my children.

Learning to read is an adventure that begins in infancy and continues through the elementary years and beyond. Even children who don't like to read (a large number from my observations), must become excellent readers to achieve at the highest level in their K-12 and college educations. The 2000 report of the National Reading Panel describes the building blocks children need to develop excellent reading skills.

• Build spoken language by talking and listening
• Learn about print and books
• Being read to and reading on their own
• Learn to relate the sounds of spoken language to letters and words
• Be able to recognize words when they see them
• Learn to spell and write words
• Learn new words and build their knowledge of what words mean
• Develop the ability to read quickly and naturally
• Build their ability to understand what they read
• Build their knowledge of the world

We know it's important to read to our children, but parents can go beyond just reading to kids to help them become better readers. This is a source for ideas and activities you can do to help your child achieve each of these building blocks and become better readers.

How to Help Your Child Become a Better Reader

Graduations, recitals, softball games, swim team practice, parties, and oh yes, school work - the last few weeks of the school year are a transition time of ending school days and beginning summer activities. Thinking about summer plans motivates us for a last push on a heavy school schedule.

Scheduling Your Summer with K-6 Kids

Children and poetry are a natural fit. They rhythm and language of poetry makes it perfect for reading aloud to your child. To introduce your child to the world of poetry, your first stop should be the bookstore. Then, take the next step to teach your child to memorize poetry. Deepen your child's interest in poetry with at-home activities and fun ways to write poetry.

Children and Poetry

The May basket is an old-fashioned tradition that will delight your special friends and neighbors. Kids love it because they put the basket on the neighbor's door, ring the bell, and run and hide!

May Baskets - A Neighborly Project for Kids

Children with extremes in negative temperament always seem to be in a bad mood. Their constant complaints and apparent unhappiness can wear on a parent. It's easy to fall into a pattern of negative interactions with this child. You have to develop coping strategies that work for you and your child to manage his negative outlook, so that you can teach him appreciation for the small joys in everyday life.

Parenting Your Negative Child

With NFL spokesmen and sponsors, All Pro Dad is a great resource for fathers and children. While the web site offers daily email tips for better fathering and a wide range of free articles and resources, the real power of All Pro Dad is going on in the monthly breakfast meetings in communities around the U.S. Check out Monthly Breakfasts to learn how to get the program going in your community.

Visit All Pro Dad

Find activities and projects for your child with an Earth Day theme.

Earth Day Activities for Kids and Families

Stress is a reality that all families face, and the effects of stress can impede our functioning in all areas of life. Two factors determine whether stress in family life leads to a maladaptive response or to new learning that makes us more resilient for the future.

Stress and Family Life

Most parents know the tug of feelings that go along with the real issue of spending quality and quantity time with their child. How many times do we wish we could be with our children when we have to work or fulfill other obligations that take us away from them? How many times do we wish for a little 'adult time' when we've just had enough of the daily routine of supervising homework and chores; chauffeuring kids; and attending school and extracurricular activities?

Spending Time with Children