Monday, June 15, 2009

Giveaway: McGraw-Hill Education CLOSED

I feel that one of my greatest accomplishments as a parent, so far, is Wyatt's love of books. He has such an appreciation for them and understands that they can offer him entertainment, information, and much more. We started reading to him at an early age as part of his bedtime routine and still do so. We also take him on frequent trips to the library, which he looks forward to doing. Whenever we get home from the library, he sits with his books and just looks through them.


The summer is a great time to spend those hot afternoons inside with a good book. The folks over at McGraw-Hill Education had one of their authors, Charlene Cobb, Ed.D., give some great reading tips. Here they are:

-Create a summer escape in your home perfect for reading. Make sure there is good light and comfortable seating to entice your kids to spend time there.

-Even if your children can read by themselves, take turns reading to each other. This helps build their skills as they listen to your tone and inflection throughout the story or article. Before, during and after you read, talk about the material. Ask you child questions and encourage you child to ask you questions.

-Whether you are reading to your children or they are reading themselves, plan an event or activity that ties to the reading material. For instance, book reading can lead to picnics, museum and zoo visits, ballgames, or even family vacations.

-Look for opportunities for your child to read. If you have a manual for a new DVD player, ask your child to read you the directions. Grocery lists and “to do” lists are also good items to help kids practice reading in “real life.”

-Share the reading experience with your child by reading the same book or material they are reading so you can discuss it.

-Even if you are not reading the same books as your children, talk to them about what they are reading. Ask them questions such as what happened in the story or what might happen next, who is their favorite character, or who is the villain. This builds summarization and recall skills, and your interest can help increase their interest.

-If your children’s school program provides materials for home activities, absolutely use them.

-Suggest your child read a popular series that has been turned into movies like the Harry Potter or Chronicles of Narnia books. When your child finishes reading the book, rent or go see the movie and discuss how each differed from the other and whether the book or movie was more enjoyable.

-Look for materials beyond fiction. Kids often prefer to read about facts, including books and articles about the environment, animals, current events, sports, and other factual topics. Talk to them about what they like and help them find reading materials that match those interests.

-Try to set aside at least one TV/video-game-free night per week for family reading. Make your family’s favorite snacks, get new books at the library and make it fun!


One of my tips is to always let your child pick out what catches their attention. What may not seem like a good book to you might be perfect for them.


McGraw-Hill Education has offered one lucky reader a series of 3 readers for their age group. All you have to do is enter below.


How to Enter:
1) Tell me your tip for getting your child interested in reading.


Additional Entries: (please leave a separate entry for each)
2) Subscribe to my blog.
3) Favorite me in technorati.
4) Follow me on twitter (whatmommiesneed) and tweet about this giveaway.
5) Blog about this giveaway and link back here to http://www.whatmommiesneed.com/
6) Put my button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on June 26th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.
You Must Leave a Valid E-mail Address to be eligible.

Renee

56 comments:

judybrittle said...

I try to make it fun for the kids. We plan an outing for the day and we stop at the library for them to choose their own books. We snuggle on the couch to read. Then when they finished their books we fill out a Chuck E Cheese certificate to redeeem
for free tokens. Thank you!

judybrittle said...

I follow on Twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/kewpiedoll04/status/2188267537

susan said...

We have books all over our home and in the car ~ so he sees them and usually wants to hold and read them too, so far...

susan said...

I follow on twitter and tweeted. http://twitter.com/susanlanai/status/2189026986

Mysharona said...

we give them a reward coupon for each book read and they can redeem them for ice cream cones or save them for a dinner.

clc408 said...

Read to them daily and set up a weekly trip to the library. Thanks!

Denise S. said...

I bought my kids a boxed set that I loved as a kid and plan to read the whole thing to them this summer. When they're older I'm sure they'll want to read it themselves.

Meaghan F. said...

I don't really have to make them read, they like it. If I read to them, I do voices to make it more interesting and that usually gets them interested.

jennem said...

We keep a log of my daughter's reading, including title, author, and favorite part. At certain milestones, she can go to the bookstore to buy whatever she wants. She loves going over them all and seeing how far she's come, too.
Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

ethnically ambiguous said...

We make it sort of a craft project. We let my goddaughter pick any book she wants then we read the book together then we go to the craft store & recreate the book. She loves the craft aspect of it so needless to say read A LOT of books!

Linda said...

My tip would be to start reading to them right away when they are little.
lgrieser(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

tatertot374 said...

I would love to win. We love to end the day with a story. It helps wind the kids down for bedtime. Thank you for the chance
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

Brimful Curiosities said...

We visit the library every week and read to the kids every night before bedtime.

Brimful Curiosities said...

Blogged:http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com/2009/06/full-to-brim-kids-book-giveaway-list_19.html

Marie said...

I help the kids find books in whatever interests them at that time -- right now my daughter is into horses and dinosaurs and my son loves robots and trucks :-)

marielay@gmail.com

AEKZ2 said...

My children get interested in reading when I tell them that they can pick out their own books. Kids love to have control! Thanks!

Colleen said...

I let my son pick out books that interest him and we started out with books on tape so I didnt have to hold the book...he could while it was being read.

Pat said...

The kids think it's great fun to go to library and choose the books that they would like to read.
pkildow at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I keep lots of intersting books that they haven't read around the house. I go to thrift stores, yard sales and clearance sales to get the books. We also make lots of library trips.

Colleen said...

I read a book to her every night and she also sees me reading, so it is something she tries to emulate.

colleenyamamoto(at)yahoo.com

erma said...

We go to the library every chance we get.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Unknown said...

Reading to kids with excitement is the best way I know to get kids into reading! If they see you enjoying it, they will too! Thanks!

sherri419 at gmail dot com

Brooke said...

We were lucky with Wee Man.. All it took was one silly book and he was hooked... OF course, I've been reading to him everyday since he was in the womb so who knows.. but Lil Kiwi is already showing great interest in books also.. In fact, she picked a book out and it is now her favorite "toy"... she always has it with her..

Charity S said...

I love buying him book series. Thanks

charisscharity [at] yahoo [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I sit down and read with them. They see me reading and they at to also.

hebert024 at aol dot com

Tylerpants said...

I think a chart that lists what books your child read, maybe give a star for each one, then a small reward would make it fun!

cindiizzy said...

We have time set aside each day to read together.

mercsmercado at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

My daughter is just starting to actually read pretty good and I have a reading chart up every bok she reads she gets a star then when it is full she will get a prize

trixx said...

I let my daughter pick out her own books so she always reads what interests her!

susan1215 said...

We got to the library about once a week to my kids can pick out books

dvice12 said...

My tip is to make reading routine and fun by doing it together every day

Kathy P said...

i try to have my son read at least a half hour before playing or video games

Jinxy and Me said...

Set a good example by letting them see you read a lot. My mom was an avid reader and that's how my sister and I turned out as well!

Bakersdozen said...

When my kids show interest in a particular subject, I like to take them to the bookstore to choose books on the subject. They can't wait to tear into their new books. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

chazvgo said...

I let my boys pick the books they want me to read, plus I have read to them since they were babies so its now a habit. Thanks :)

Donna said...

Reading to kids starting as an infant helps.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

We encourage our kids by giving them special privileges when they complete books

lilyk said...

Take them to the library and let them pick out books that sound interesting to them.

lilyk@mail2world.com