Use Children's Books to Encourage Kids to Read

Use Children's Books to Encourage Kids to Read

As most parents know, reading skills are critical for preschool learning and childhood development. Studies have shown that children that are diagnosed with reading problems during their early school years, will continue having reading and learning problems through the 9th grade and beyond. Even more troubling, almost 50 percent of adolescents and young people with criminal records have reading difficulties.

Sadly, many of today's kids would rather watch TV or play video games than read a book. Being a bookworm, or even showing an interest in reading, is percieved as a erdish activity. Most of the heros in today's society are professional athletes, actors, or music icons.

But don't despair, all is not lost. Getting your kids to read can be a challange, but with the use of quality children's books, it doesn't have to be an insermountable one. Here are some steps you can take in order to encourage reading in children:

The first step to read to your child at an early age. Many adults have fond memories of their parents reading them bedtime stories when they were toddlers, and reading to your child will help foster a love of words and reading.

Be a good reading ole model for your children or grandchildren. Let them see you reading on a regular basis, and how much you enjoy reading books and magazines.

Another good idea is to fill your child's room with books. Kids who grow up surrounded by books learn to think of them as friends, and allies in their pursuit of reading, learning, and wonderful new adventures.

As your child grows and matures, introduce him or her to books that match their interests and hobbies. Show them how an informative book can deepen and expand their knowledge on a particular topic--and expand their horizons as well.

Make sure your child or grandchild has a library card. Libraries are wonderful resources for reading and learning. Show your children how libraries can be places of wonder and excitement, and can open up new worlds of learning that will last a lifetime.

And lastly, consider setting limits on the amount of time your child spends in front of a TV or video game console. While there's nothing wrong with playing video games or watching TV, those activities aren't going to do much to develop your child's reading and language skills. For that, you need to set them down in front of a good children's book, and make sure they spend at least 30 minutes per day reading it.

They might not like it now, but chances are they'll thank you for it later on in life.

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Kent Johnson - Reading Expert and Career Coach
Visit http://www.books-to-order.com Your source for
personalized children's books that make reading fun

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About the Author

How to Keep Your Child Safe in the Car

Car crashes are the leading cause of death and serious injury in children. Your children are precious cargo that you want to protect. To make sure your child is properly restrained in the car, follow these guidelines:

Infants should use rear-facing car seats for as long as the weight and height limit indicated on the seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that infants remain in these types of seats until one year of age or until they reach 20 lbs.

After the one-year or 20 lbs mark, infants should ride in an approved forward-facing seat in the backseat until they reach the upper weight and height limit for that particular seat. This is usually around the age of 4 and 40lbs.

After the age of 4 and 40lbs mark, children should use a booster seat until the seat belt fits them properly. A seat belt fits properly when the lap belt lies across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest.

Once the seat belt fits properly, which is usually at the age of 8 and 4'9 tall, children can wear an adult seatbelt positioned in the backseat of the car.

Children under the age of 13 should always ride in the backseat. It is a safer place for them. A deployed airbag can seriously hurt a young child or infant riding in the front seat.

Never buy or use a used car seat. This car seat could have been recalled or if the seat was involved in a previous accident, it is not suppose to be used.

Many new cars used the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) as a means of attaching the car seat. LATCH is an installation system that was created to standardize the way child safety seats are attached to vehicles without having to use a seat belt. LATCH consists of two lower attachments and an upper tether on a child safety seat that anchors and connects with lower anchors and a top tether built into a vehicle's back seat. Read your car owner's manual and car seat instructions for information on using the LATCH system.

Visit the NHTSA website to find information on car seat recalls regularly. They also have information on locating a child seat fitting station to ensure that you have installed your car seat properly.

Remember...

Set a good example by always wearing your seatbelt and buckle up your children as well.

Never allow children to ride in the back of a pick-up truck or other vehicle unrestrained.

Never allow your child to play in a vehicle. This sends the wrong message to a child. They may play in a vehicle without your knowledge and get stuck in it or put it in gear.

Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle. On hot days, children can suffocate in a car in a very short period of time.

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By Veronica Scott

7 Ways to Organize Your Special Event

Did you ever go to a Special Event and lose your car? Did you panic? In the dark did you become disoriented? Did you ever feel that your program could have included more practical information? If you answered yes, read on.

Organizing a huge event takes common sense and good organizational skills. That may sound like tripe but I assure you in many cases this is not the case.

When you make out the program of the special event not only does it include the special event and the people names included in the program but other things such as:

(1)How many restrooms available and where they are located.

(2)If an area is closed off to the public.

(3)The area for the red cross or nursing care.

(4)Anything that is special and needs to be noted of special interest.

(5) For handicapped people what are the special options available to them?

(a) Are their wheelchairs available to rent?

(b) Where is the handicapped parking area?

(6) For babies. Are their strollers to rent?

PARKING LOT:

When you arrive at this special event you may not be familiar with the area and definitely not the parking lot.

The parking lot should be sectioned off and numbered in clear view. This way when you are leaving your car, you will be able to find it when you return later. If it is dark out it is easy to become disoriented and confused. It is not a joke to try and find your car when there are hundreds of others parked or it is dark and panicked.

As I said it takes a great deal of organization and common sense when you run a large special event.

Thank you for reading my article. I hope you feel free to read my other numerous articles on numerous subjects.

Copyright Linda Meckler 2006

Linda is the author of her first published book, ?Ghost Kids Trilogy. Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates? Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates? Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them.

Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. http://www.lmeckler.com

Check out my new 4 E books Titled:

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Choosing The Right Educational Video Games For Your Children

Video games are among the most popular toys today. Children of all ages spend a lot of time engrossed in the latest action-packed video console or computer game. For this reason, it is important to choose video games that are educational, rather than those that contain violence or other content not suitable for children. There is a host of video games on the market perfect for children. These games incorporate education into the fun of video games, giving both parents and children lots of safe, educational options to choose from.

Though there have been serious concerns over the past few years surrounding the adverse affects of frequent video game playing on children, playing video games can have some positive effects as well. First, games can provide children a fun and social form of entertainment, especially when played in pairs or even teams. This allows children who share similar interests the opportunity to learn from each other while having fun in a pressure-free environment. This also helps to encourage teamwork and cooperation, two attributes that are essential to a child's social education.

Video games can also make children feel more comfortable with technology. This may not be as much of an issue as it used to be, as many children are now learning basic computer skills at a young age, but it is still an important factor since technology changes so frequently. It also gives them the opportunity to share their knowledge with other children, and to learn from their experiences in a particular game or format.

Playing educational video games can also help build a child's self-esteem as he or she masters more and more different levels in a particular game. More importantly, it can also teach children to feel good about having fun in a non-competitive environment.

However, the main goal of educational video games is, of course, to help educate. Educational video games can improve the development of math, reading, and problem-solving skills. This kind of practice --practice that your children will want to take part in-- can help them with their schoolwork, as well as help them to catch onto particular subjects more quickly.

Video games can also help the improvement and development of eye-hand coordination, as well as fine motor skills. This will be very important to any child's future, and can be instrumental in developing a child's interests and special skills. This is also a good way to encourage your child to use different parts of his or her brain.

No matter which educational video games you choose, be sure they do not contain any features that would not be suitable for your children. Since the objective is to learn, they should help build useful skills and be thought-provoking. These games will also provide your child with hours of fun, while helping to build some of the most essential basic skills.

About the Author:

Master Mind Toys, fun and educational children's toys. Bob the Builder, Dora The Explorer, Lego, Thomas The Tank Engine, Trading Spaces, Baby Einstein, Childrens Toys, Playmobil, Robosapien, Radio Flyer.http://www.mastermindtoys.com/

Baby Car Seat Safety Your Must Know Guide

It is very important to use the correct type of baby seat when you have an infant on board. Most people do not know how to install a baby car seat safely. Do you know that some hospitals won't discharge a mom and new baby until they see the car seat? Fortunately, many kinds of infant car seats exist in the market.

The easiest baby car seat to utilize is the kind that has a base that is buckled securely to the car seat. This car seat itself can be lifted off and carried around by the handle. This is will be convenient to you because the baby can be carried to and from the house or wherever the child is going while strapped into the seat. These infant seats usually will only be safe for transporting babies facing backward, until the age of one year. When the baby is 18 pounds, and at least one year old, it is time for a forward-facing baby car seat. Plus, by the time the baby is that old, and weighs 18 pounds, he will be too heavy to lug around that way! You will want to get the baby out of the baby car seat, and carry him, or he may even be walking by then!

The next kind of baby car seat is called a convertible car seat. Many of these baby car seats can be placed in the backward-facing position for when babies grow out of their infant seats, but are not yet old enough, or at a heavy enough weight to sit facing forward. Then, the convertible baby car seat can be turned to face forward, and will seat the baby until the baby is 40 pounds or more. These have a 5-point harness that is buckled at the bottom and the chest.

Once the baby reaches 40 pounds, he will move to a booster seat. This seat is a small base that keeps the child secure, while allowing him to use the regular seat belt. The child can usually sit in this type of car seat until he weighs 80 pounds!

As a rule of thumb, babies and children below the age of twelve are supposed to be seated behind, not in the front seat. The safest place is the center of the back seat. This is because studies show that air bags in the front seat may cause injuries to children. So if possible, never allow a child to be seated in front.

Joshua Poyoh is the creator of http://www.automotive.resources-to.com where you can find out more independent information on Kia Recalls

By Joshua Poyoh

Chicago Real Estate Agents

Are you selling your house? Are you interested in purchasing a home in the suburbs? Then you need a good real estate agent to handle your business.

Selling a house is a tricky business. The seller must make sure that he is making a logical and well thought out decision during each step. This is precisely why, if you are planning on selling your house or apartment, you should consider hiring a good professional real estate agent. If you are in Chicago, it shouldn't be too hard for you to find a Chicago real estate agent. There are plenty of brokerages that have more than enough real estate agents in their roster to help you out.

The same goes if you are planning to purchase a home. First-time home purchasers usually make impulsive decisions that they regret and are left feeling short-changed afterwards. Looking for just the right home in Chicago can be a bit challenging, but with a reliable Chicago real estate agent everything should be a snap.

The first step in finding a Chicago real estate agent is to find a reliable real estate agency. Once you get in touch with the agency and let them know your intent, they will put a qualified Chicago real estate agent in touch with you.

For your agent to be effective, he or she must be familiar with the area in which the house you are either purchasing or selling is located. If you are buying a home, your agent should also be able to help you explore all the possible options available to you and inform you of the economics, i.e., taxes, maintenance, and insurance involved.

Selling something is always a challenge, so your Chicago real estate agent should be able to advise you how to make the best deal possible. Take the following into consideration: 1.) Don't peg your price too high -stick to what's realistic; 2.) Do not push the envelope too far-playing hardball is good, but too much negotiation might discourage the other party completely; 3.) Strut your stuff-advertise your home, have people come in for and make sure it's in tiptop shape.

Chicago Real Estate provides detailed information on Chicago Real Estate, Chicago Commercial Real Estate, Chicago Suburb Real Estate, Chicago Real Estate Developments and more. Chicago Real Estate is affiliated with Atlanta Commercial Real Estate.

Before The Hydration Backpack! Find Out How Johnny Did Without It

Back in the days before the hydration backpack, Johnny (fictitious character) was mountain trail riding with his water bottle securely attached to his bike frame. When Johnny decided to hydrate himself while extensively riding the winding trails, he decided to reach down and grab his bottle when a tree suddenly jumped out in front of Johnny!

Johnny swerved to get out of the way, but it was too late! He crashed, taking an enormous tumble on some rocks! As Johnny finished counting the little birdies flying around his head, he noticed that his water source flew over the mountainous cliff and now Johnny was out of H2O to quench his extreme thirst.

What's Johnny to do now? He's miles from the next water source, and his injury is going to keep him out of commission for a while. Johnny soon realizes he's becoming very dehydrated as the hot afternoon sun is beating down on him that day. As Johnny sat under a tree to keep cool, he tended to his wounds and collected enough strength to get up. There's a problem, though. During the cycling crash, Johnny damaged his bike, and now he has to walk the trail all the way back.

Johnny's safety is now in jeopardy because he has to trek several miles in the heat with no water, and getting hydrated is not in the picture for several hours. Dehydration was now a major concern, and unfortunately Johnny had no choice but to deal with the situation at hand. Now if it was the future, and Johnny knew that one day there would be hydration backpacks available, do you think he would have purchased one for his next outdoor adventure? You better believe he would have!

It's now winter and Johnny's ordeal back in the summer is now a distant memory. Johnny has now packed his snowboard gear to head back to the mountains for some extreme boarding in some fresh powder. Johnny has not learned his lesson, because there happens to be hydration systems specially designed for snowboarders and skiers in a variety of backpack styles. Unfortunately Johnny is not aware of this, and he heads up to the resorts with his bulky over-the-shoulder canteen.

Johnny is pumped, and his adrenaline is shooting through his veins as he witnesses incredible powder on the top of the peak. Johnny, with his human instincts, makes sure that his canteen is full to the rim with fresh water, and that he has it securely over his shoulder. As Johnny arrives at the top, he notices that there are untouched trails with no tracks whatsoever, and he excitedly attempts to take on this un-chartered territory.

Johnny grabs his so-called water source and takes a big swig before he heads down the secluded trail. He's making great time and as he's cutting through the powder with precision, you won't believe what happens next! A tree jumped out into Johnny's path and knocks him out cold. When Johnny awoke, he noticed his board was split in half, and those birds flying around his head came back, but this time the birdies brought friends.

What's Johnny to do now? No one has been down this path for the entire day, and just by looking at his situation, there's a slim chance anyone will find him. Lucky for him, the day is somewhat warmer than other days, and he's extremely thirsty. As Johnny starts to walk back up the mountain in the deep snow, he is getting tired and thirstier. Johnny starts to think back now to his summer experience, and then said to himself, here I go again!

Johnny didn't even make it halfway up the steep hill when he soon realized that he was completely out of water. Now, not only was he out of necessary H2O, but he also didn't bring a backpack with him so he did not have any spare dry clothes, or any safety items to assist him in emergencies such as this. Johnny was in a pickle again, and it was clear that he didn't learn his lesson from the last incident when he was severely dehydrated and almost never made it back.

If Johnny had a hydration pack at that moment with a reservoir full of water, and with an additional bladder in his pack for backup, do you think his situation would have been better? You bet it would have!

Johnny Finally Learned His Lessons, And Seeks Out A Hydration System!

Johnny decides that enough was enough, and he started to search the Internet to find himself a system that could take care of his hydrating needs, especially under emergency situations that he has experienced in the past. As Johnny typed in hydration systems, he noticed that these really cool and functional hydration backpacks were popping up online, and he was extremely fascinated.

When Johnny started to read further, you could see the excitement come over him. He was like a Camel at an Oasis party, and he was absorbing all the information available to him. Johnny quickly noticed there were several backpack models and many styles to choose from. He was planning his next adventure, and with a complete hydrating system with ample bag storage, he would finally feel confident that he would remain fully hydrated, and be completely equipped with all his necessities.

The summer rolls around again, and Johnny decides to go kayaking and do a little camping as well. He's feeling confident because he just made the purchase of his new hydration daypack that came complete with a comfortable padded shoulder strap, secure waistbelt, and harness to take the strain off his back while hiking to his camp destination.

The pack was equipped with a 100 oz reservoir, and with his experience he decided to purchase an extra water bladder for backup, plus Johnny also made sure that he got a backpack big enough to carry extra dry clothing, and additional supplies.

Nothing was going to stop Johnny now, and being an extremely good kayaker, he had no worries that this outdoor adventure was going to be a successful one. Johnny jumped into his kayak with this new hydration pack in hand, and as he was paddling through some wild white water back to his camping spot, you won't believe what happened next! A tree fell out of the woods right on top of Johnny's head and knocked him out of his kayak. Can you believe his luck? But don't worry because he was feeling ok, even though he was counting a couple of pickerels flapping around his head along with a few birdies! As Johnny sat on the shore of the river watching his kayak float away, he had a smile on his face, because even though he had to walk several miles to his camp, at least he was prepared this time with his brand new hydration backpack system!

Things were looking up for Johnny this time, and getting dehydrated was a thing of the past. As he stood up to make his long journey back to camp, Johnny excitedly looks around to get his backpack and test out his wonderful pack's features. He was waiting to use the bite valve system that allowed him to draw out the cool refreshing water, and re-hydrate his extreme thirst. You won't believe what happened next! Johnny mistakenly strapped his hydration pack to his kayak, and now he just realized that it's floating somewhere down stream.

The moral of this story is that hydrating your body with a quality functional hydration backpack system is not only convenient, but can be a indispensable way to maintain your hydration levels in your body, while you're taking part in your favourite outdoor event. However, when you decide to venture out on your desired sporting activity, whatever you do, don't take Johnny!
About the Author

About the author: William is the Author of Hydration Backpacks.com available at www.hydration-backpacks.com Your source for Hydration Packs! Read our variety of articles on hydration systems offering information and tips, plus personal product reviews on top hydration pack suppliers.