Let’s talk about one of the most common questions I get as a teacher (and homeschooling mom): “How do I actually teach my child to read?” For some kids, reading clicks into place like magic—easy peasy. And for others… well, let’s just say it’s more of a journey. And guess what? That’s 100% OKAY. I’m…
Homeschool Reading Curriculum Overview
I have something truly exciting to share with you… We now know exactly how to teach children to read! Yes, you read that right! And today, I will show you how to do it, too! As a Teacher and Certified Reading Specialist, I am going to help you understand how reading develops for children. We…
Breathtaking Winter Books for Preschoolers
We live quite simply. You won’t find anything all that extravagant out here, and thanks to a big de-cluttering movement last year, you won’t find much at all, really. Not too many toys, or clothes, or “stuff.” With one exception. Books. We have bookshelves and bookshelves full of books. Mostly children’s books and hundreds of…
Crazy Fun Summer Reading Activities!
Do you remember learning to read? I do… nostalgic music strumming … I was aching to learn to read. My big brother knew how. My big sis did too. But poor little Sarah was just not old enough. Or so she was told. However, across the street lived a retired teacher, who, as it turns…
Reading Activities: Name in a Jar
An oldie but a goodie for you today, my friend. A flashback to 9 years ago when I was beginning to teach letter sounds to Sam. Spoiler alert—it worked! Here is that post on how to teach letter sounds from all those years ago… We are playing our way to learning to read! My little…
Rainbow Writing Scavenger Hunt for Kids
We went on a fun scavenger hunt the other day that was perfect for Spring. And it was absolutely teeming with writing and reading too! One of my little ones, who shall remain nameless but is 7, is really struggling with writing currently. He has developed a huge distaste for it. We do a bit…
Mail Time! Setting Up Your Own Post Office
Do you know what you and your little ones need? A preschool post office themed activity! I tell you friends, this dramatic play idea lasted us ALL MORNING LONG! Not only that, this preschool post office idea is so full of learning. My three year old was practicing identifying his letters, his sounds, and recognizing…
STEPPING Up the Reading!
Oh exciting things are happening in this house of ours — Sammy is starting to read. As a teacher, I just love this stage of child development. He knows all his sounds and blends and he is starting to sound out words all on his own. He is so excited about it, he is ready…
4 Sneaky Ways to Get Kids Reading this Summer!
I am excited to partner with YMC and TD Summer Reading Club on this post about getting kids reading this summer! I had such big plans this summer for my little on-the-verge-of-reading guy. We were going to snuggle up and read each afternoon. We were going to have extra long bedtime stories. We were going…
A Space to Write
I decided it was time for a space to write. The littlest ones of mine have been busy lately sending secret messages via post-it notes, cards, and scrap paper (or paper deemed ‘scrap’ by them). With all that wonderful writing going on, I thought it best to really nurture this interest. Nothing fancy, really just…