Early Learner's World

by Sammy Cousens

No matter the age, we all have stories we carry with us. Developing stories is another authentic way for kids to make meaning of themselves and the world around them. Storytelling opportunities arise when kids are using their imagination, when they share their ideas, when they ask questions, or reflect on their experiences. As adults, we can help empower them by writing down their words as they authentically process, divulge/share and discover their self-identity through written and oral language.

Storytelling Ideas

• Keep a composition notebook handy to quickly jot down any quotes from your child
• On the spine of the book write their name and year
• Introduce the notebook with your child and explain that this is a place they can share their stories, leave it somewhere they are able to access it too
• Write the date and child's name on everything
• In their notebook, stick in little notes, scribbles or pictures your child has made
• With your child, revisit previous stories you have already written down, that they have told you
• Invite your child to draw a story before/during/or after to match the written words
• Invite your child to retell the story you wrote as you point to their words
• Start with, “Tell me your story…” and then, “tell me more”…and just keep writing as they share
• Write down their exact words with no corrections or suggestions from you
• Teach your child how to record their voice on a cell phone or tape recorder- empowering them to orally tell their story whenever they choose
• Provide diverse kinds of stories, storytelling formats and genres (incorporate puppets, write about how to make something like playdough)

Story Telling Benefits

• Family Traditions: Telling oral stories from your childhood to your own children is a magical tradition
• Kids will build their visual narrative and begin story telling without books/family support
• Continuing the cycle of family culture, telling oral stories, rhymes, songs
• Sharing memories from your own childhood
• Kids are constantly building their visual story as they share their narratives

Resources

• The Stories Children Tell
• Promoting Storytelling with Anne E. Stewart
• Storytelling Bag

• BEST BONUS EVER: Bev Boss on Play

Until Next Time,

Sammy Cousens

by Carrie Vining

Lately, I’ve been doing workshops for families who have a struggling reader. The question inevitably comes up: How to I motivate my child to read? Part of me hears the voice of Julie Bogart who wrote The Brave Learner say, “You can’t coerce caring.” That might be the part of me who is worn down from a preteen and a teen at home who swing between a love/dislike relationship with everything. The other part of me knows that there are lots of ways for families to instill a love of reading AND that it is very important to start fostering this young.

Motivating someone to want to do something is a tricky venture. There is a window that is open during the early years that closes up later on. Take advantage of it while it’s there to create a positive feeling towards reading in your child. Reading is an incredibly complicated process and our brains are not hardwired to do it naturally. So creating a positive feeling towards literacy while your child is young is important.

Here are just a few ways help create a good relationship between your child and reading:

1. Have a set routine for read-to-self time.
2. Create a cozy place for reading like a fort or special place.
3. Buddy Read with your child, taking turns. Or have your child read to a pet or stuffy.
4. Read with Grandparents or other family over zoom.
5. Expand reading to include more than just books, write silly signs or notes for your child to read around the house. Turn it into a game or treasure hunt.
6. Check out fun magazines from the library or ask for subscriptions for their birthday.
7. Read jokes to them and have them read the punchlines.
8. Read poetry.
9. Have your child write their own books to read to others or have them narrate a book to you (as you scribe) and then they can illustrate it. Or use a tape recorder or voice to text feature.
10. Read recipes, then cook or bake them.
11. Read plays and act out the parts.
12. Let your child choose their own books at the library (when open).

Here are a few articles that will also help:

How to Motivate Your Child to Read

15 Effective Ways to Motivate Your Child to Read

Genius Ways to Make Kids Love Reading

Tips for Encouraging Kids to Read

by Piper Mertle

Many a parent wonders "If I don't speak French (or other language), how do I teach it to my child?!"

Here's one suggestion: As is the case with many things about homeschooling, go with what your interests (your child's and yours) are!

If you like movies, here are a couple that are wonderful and give a feel for places where French is spoken. The two I've selected are set on location and are NOT animated. There are some great animated films in French, but these two are very authentic and the stories are wonderful.

I absolutely recommend The Red Balloon. It is a classic 1956 film in black and white. It has almost no dialogue, and at only 34 minutes long, it can be understood and enjoyed by all.

Additionally, I love Binta and the Great Idea. In French, with English subtitles, it is an award-winning short film (31 minutes) filmed on location in Senegal, (West Africa). It is a delightful movie, with a sweet yet powerful story and message for kids (and adults!).

Staff Directory

Vision, Mission, and Core Beliefs

School Year Calendar

AL*e Parent Login

AL*e Parent Login Instructions

Newsletter Archive

Early Learner's Archive

Website: https://fpp.bellinghamschools.org
Location: 1409 18th Street, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 676-6424