How to encourage literacy with your children

Encouraging literacy is very important. And, new studies have shown that you can never start too early. Literacy is a key foundational block to being successful as an adult and gives children confidence as they enter school. Here are the top five steps. For more information, see the full article on Gideon Learning Blog.

1. Read aloud to your child.

2. Attend age-appropriate storytimes with your child.

3. Have books in the house.

4. Encourage reading by being a reader.

5. Encourage conversation with your children even before they can speak.

Review, remove and recycle

'Tis the season to start looking through all those broken toys, unstuffed stuffed animals, torn books and limbless dolls and decide what to do with them after receiving more toys and dolls from Santa. It is this time of year that I do my "winter cleaning" and start to throw away those broken and unrepairable toys. I give away those repairable toys, dolls and books as well as those games that have one piece missing that could be substituted or any toys that are past the age of my children. I also go through clothes to see which ones can become official play clothes and which ones should become rags. Or even, some can be given away. I always find it a nice way to start the New Year with an organized house. And, even if the holidays are over, there are still families and children in need of things that we are fortunate enough to replace. Think about it and review, remove and recycle!