Get Caught Reading

Why should parents want their kids to enjoy reading? A love of reading is one of the most important gifts you can give to your child. Reading boosts vocabulary, increases fluency, improves brain function, and develops the imagination. There are countless advantages that reading affords your little one. Cultivating an appreciation of reading at a young age will yield benefits that last a lifetime!

Raising a Writer: Encouraging Creative Writing

Creative writing is an important and often overlooked part of a comprehensive curriculum. Many times parents tend to focus on the broader aspects of math, science, social studies, and language. While these are all worthy of attention and are certainly important in a child’s education, we need not neglect the more specific and creative aspects of their learning. Check out these great ideas about how you can help your little one embrace the creative writing process.

Earth Day for Toddlers

Do you think your little one is too young to appreciate Earth Day?  If you’ve been the parent of a toddler for any length of time, you understand just how quickly they are able to catch on to ideas. Toddler-hood is a great time to introduce your kiddo to good environmental conservation. A simple activity can go a long way in increasing your toddler’s awareness about environmental issues. Red Apple Reading has compiled a list of 10 simple Earth Day activities you can do with your toddler.

Spring into Creativity

Who doesn’t love the arrival of spring? The weather warms up, the flowers begin to bloom, and the days last a little longer. The advent of spring marks a newness of life; and the changes taking place outdoors seem to spark something inside of us as well. We’re inspired to try something different or make something new. In honor of the arrival of spring this year, why not take a little time to nurture your kid’s creativity?

Fun Book and Activity Pairings for Kids

What’s more fun than reading a good book? Pairing the fun book with a cool project, of course! If you want your kiddo to get the most out of her reading experience, try adding an activity that enhances the story and allows for further discussion. If you’re not sure where to begin, Red Apple Reading has a few ideas to help get you started. Check out these book/activity pairings

How Dr. Seuss Can Help Your Early Reader

If you have a school age child, there’s a good chance he celebrated Read Across America last week at school. This yearly reading initiative also includes the observance of Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2. Beloved author, Theodor Seuss Geisel, was born in 1904 and wrote 44 children’s books in his lifetime. Most of us grew up reading these wacky tales and have at least a few Dr. Seuss books in our own home libraries for our children. Parents know how much fun these books are, but many don’t realize their value as early readers for their kids. So what makes Dr. Seuss books such a great choice for early readers?

Children’s Biographies of African Americans

February has been a busy month. We have celebrated Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, and even Library Lovers Month! We would be amiss if we failed to give Black History Month its due as well. As Black History Month is coming to a close, we would like to share 10 biographies regarding some well-known, as well as a few lesser-known, African Americans. We think both you and your children will find them inspiring.

Library Themed Books for Kids

You may not realize it, but February is Library Lovers’ Month. We can’t think of a better time to celebrate the love of libraries than in the month that is already associated with love – thanks to Valentine’s Day! If your child’s love for the library has grown a little cold as of late, we suggest picking up one of these books to help renew her affection for this beloved institution. We have a feeling your kid will love these stories about libraries!

Fun Ways to Celebrate Presidents’ Day

Many of us are enjoying a long weekend since Presidents’ Day is this Monday.  While our federal government officially calls this American holiday “Washington’s Birthday”, it has come to be recognized as a time to pay tribute to both past and present Presidents. How is your family spending this holiday? Red Apple Reading has some ideas for celebrating Presidents’ Day with your family.