Reading Logs aren't just for summer

Simple As That has a beautiful example and free printables for a reading log.

This beautiful reading log could be used year round.

Reading Journals

If you haven't read "The Book Whisper" by Donalyn Miller and you are a teacher or home-school mom then you should.  These beautiful journals were posted by The Apple Basket Teacher and made after  having been inspired by the book.

Book journals are a great way for a reader to incorporate writing and to have them learn to write reflections of what they have read.  They journal in what they liked and didn't like and even how it may have affected them as readers.  Then, when they need to recommend a book or are asked about a book they read, the reader has a reference of their initial thoughts and feelings.   Sharing a great way to inspire others to read as well.

Encourage Writing Old School Style

I have searched and searched for one of these.  My kids had never laid eyes on one before but the day I brought it home and rolled some paper into it the fell in love.  After they explored the functions, the writing began.  My oldest sat down to write a letter to a friend while my middle typed his name.   If you have one of these in your garage or run across a working one for cheap, you'll be glad for bringing it out or bringing it home.

Expanding Literacy in the Home Helps Prevent Reading Difficulties

We might be a blog dedicated to reading to your child but we are also dedicated to promoting early literacy at home.  That includes writing.  Here is an idea for encouraging your child to write at home...

Give your little one the tools needed to practice writing.  Here is an example of a desk in our home with a drawer dedicated to writing.  The little ones have paper, envelopes, writing instruments, stickers that resemble stamps or address labels.  Research shows that children understand the process of writing simply because they see adults around them performing writing skills.    If you have a desk you can dedicate for your child, also include a telephone and note pad for "taking messages". 

Give your little one the opportunity to mimic writing opportunities.  Let them write "notes to the teacher", send birthday cards, thank you cards and even give them a notebook so that they can write on their own.

While your child may not form letters or even straight lines, they will draw, scribble and "write".

We also have a deep drawer that houses coloring books and crayons galore.  The children are free to grab a coloring book and crayon anytime and sit at the desk or lay on the floor and color.  Coloring strengthens the hand muscles and gives them opportunities to hold writing utensils.  There is an easy way to show your child how to hold a pen, pencil or crayon here.

Want to give your child direction in writing skills.  You can draw on a simple sheet of paper, lines, dotes, circles, scribbles and letters.  Let your child mimic your drawings on the opposite side of the paper and then give them room on the bottom and back to write what ever they please.

On more think you can add to your family desk is a computer with programs that your child can use.  My children love Starfall.  They also get a chance to use the key board to type letters of their own.

Expand literacy opportunities in your home and your little one will be much better prepared for reading.

Don't forget to enter our giveaway here.  Hurry it ends October 26, 2010.

Practice Name Writing

Writing names can be easy.  The trick is to wait until your little one is ready and willing.  When your child has a good sense of self and recognizes the purpose of letters, it's probably time to give it a try.    This was Evan's first attempt at writing his name with my help.  We used simple straight lines and circles and practiced each letter individually before attempting the whole name. 

 

The next important step is to give your child the feeling of success for the first attempts at writing.  Little ones love high fives, encouraging comments and displaying their efforts on the proudest display of all...the fridge.  Children don't need lined paper to start with and the casual freedom of blank paper is perfect for beginners.

Recycled Crayons

Let's Explore is full of great ideas.  I am LOVING these recycled alphabet crayon letters.  I can't get enough of her wonderfully creative ideas.

Learn How to Hold a Pencil

Click Here to Read How

Encourage Letter Writing

The last few days I have thought about all the people I should send a letter too.  It's a lost art and imagine a friends surprise to receive a sweet letter in the mail from you or your little one.  Giving children a reason to write is as important as the writing itself.  Head over to The Mother Huddle for this inspiring project.

Typewriter as a Toy

I read about this idea and I loved it.  Next time you run across an old typewriter, consider this for your children. Give them a stack of paper and show them how to use it. Then let their imaginations go wild. They can practice typing words or sentences, copying from a book, or making fun patterns and drawings by manipulating spacing.

Image: Bloesem Kids
Idea Courtesy of Ohdeedoh

Letterboxing: Encouraging a Child to Write

Over at Wee Folk Art you can read all about how her kids participate in "Letterboxing" or in other words, a scavenger hunt.  I love this idea to promote literacy skills in older children.  Check out her incredibly creative post.

A Family Mail Center

Want to promote literacy in your house?  Start with writing.  You and your children can create this simple mail center and write letters to each other.  Not only could this open up lines of communication with older children but with younger children you will have tangible evidence of their growing writing skills.  Children will mimic and participate in writing that has meaning to them and to ones the love.  So, visit Let's Explore to take a look at this simple project and put it to use in your home.

Create a Writing Center

Research has shown that children naturally mimic what they see in their natural environment.  If children see their parents or teachers taking notes or writing letters, they will naturally want to do the same.  So, give your child a place that will encourage and hone writing skills.  Giddy Giddy shows how she organized a writing desk for her child.  Visit her blog to see how she did it.

Simple Blank Book: How To Instructions

Every boy and girl needs a book they can write in freely, with no judgement and no rules.  They can color, write, draw, scribble, whatever their hearts desire in their very own blank books.  You can easily make these blank books for your little one.  Click HERE to see how.

Lap Desks: Encourage Your Little Author

Balancing Everything made lap desks for her children to use for their writing.  Lap desks allow children to write where ever they land.  She has a free download for making these simple desks.  Visit her to find out how she made them and to see how cute they all turned out.

Field Notebook for Kids

Lucky by Designs posted a beautiful example of a field notebook.  How perfect would this be in a classroom or for homeschool parents to use.  She also shows you how to make a carrying case that holds colored pencils, pens and other necessary utensils for a child's fieldwork.  Every budding scientist needs a field book to record findings.  It's a great form of journaling and excellent for promoting literacy, especially in writing.  Visit Lucky Designs and check out her wonderful instructions.

Turn Old Paperbacks into New Hardbacks

One of my favorite websites for children occassionally posts ideas that are great for book lovers.  This idea is perfect for preserving some of your old favorites so that your children can enjoy them for more years to come.  Visit the folks over at Ohdeedoh for the how too.  This method is very much like the one we used in college to publish our own books too.  So, if you have a child that is a budding writer and would like to publish his or her stories for them, here's a great method.

Teaching Story Structure

Book reports are something we think of as homework for our kids or as something they "should learn in school" but they also teach children story structure.  Here are some tips and ideas for helping your child understand story structure in order to better his or her comprehension.