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5 Simple Ways to Develop Your Child’s Literacy Skills

Susan Cumberland Published: October 3, 2024 Last Updated Date: January 14, 2025

Fun Ways to Build Your Child’s Reading and Writing Skills at Home

Reading and writing shape every part of our lives, from sending texts to understanding road signs to sharing stories. While schools lay the foundation, parents play a crucial role in developing literacy skills at home. Here are some creative ways to make reading and writing feel less like homework and more like fun family time.

1. Make Daily Activities Double as Reading Practice

Got mail? Turn your daily trip to the mailbox into a treasure hunt. Have your kids sort through envelopes, spotting family names and guessing what might be inside based on the sender. They’ll learn to spot the difference between important mail and advertisements while having fun playing detective.

2. Cook Up Some Reading Skills

There’s nothing like the promise of a tasty treat to spark interest in reading. Next time your child wants mac and cheese or hot chocolate, hand them the package and let them be your kitchen assistant. They’ll practice reading while calling out instructions, and you’ll both enjoy the delicious results. Better yet, ask them to write down the steps for making their signature sandwich – they’ll feel like a real chef sharing their secret recipe.

3. Let Them Plan Their Perfect Party

Instead of taking charge of birthday party planning, step back and let your child take the lead. They can create guest lists, draft invitations, and map out activities. It’s the perfect chance to practice writing with real purpose – after all, what’s more motivating than planning your own celebration? Plus, they’ll beam with pride showing off their handwritten invitations to friends.

4. Make Library Visits an Adventure

Rainy afternoons become magical when you’re exploring library shelves together. The key is finding books that spark your child’s curiosity while matching their reading level. Here’s what works:

Start with books they can read smoothly on their own – if they stumble over more than a few words per page, save that one for later. Mix in some slightly challenging books that might need your help, and grab a few advanced ones to read together.

When you read aloud to them, you share a story, build their vocabulary, and demonstrate how fluent reading sounds.

5. Consider One-on-One Reading Support

Sometimes kids need extra help developing their reading skills, and that’s perfectly normal. A reading tutor can create personalized lessons that target your child’s specific challenges while building on their strengths. They can also recommend great books for you to enjoy together at home.

Remember, building literacy skills happens naturally through everyday moments. The most powerful thing you can do is make reading and writing feel like a regular, enjoyable part of family life rather than a chore. Keep it fun, stay consistent, and watch your child’s skills grow!

Want to give your child the gift of confident reading and writing? School Is Easy’s English tutors create personalized lessons that make learning fun and effective. Book a free consultation today to discover how our one-on-one English lessons can help your child thrive.

8 Fall Math Activities to do with Pumpkins

Susan Cumberland Published: September 28, 2024 Last Updated Date: November 11, 2024

Fall math activities for carving pumpkins — Photo Credit: Craig Damlo

Pumpkins are everywhere you go this time of year, so why not use them to do fall math activities with your kids? There are plenty of pumpkin shapes and sizes to choose from, as there are piles of pumpkins stationed in front of most grocery stores just waiting for people to take them home. You can also go on a fun outing to the pumpkin patch to select the perfect pumpkins for these fall math activities.

Fall math activities for young children:

Regardless of what you plan to do with your pumpkin, the first step for most pumpkin projects is to remove the slimy seeds. This messy sensory activity can also create some fall math activities for your family’s young children.

Activity #1- Practice Estimating:

Each family member can estimate (or guess) how many pumpkin seeds will be inside the pumpkin. If your family has chosen more than one pumpkin, you can guess which pumpkin will have more or fewer seeds.

Activity #2- Count the Pumpkin Seeds:

Once everyone has guessed how many pumpkin seeds there are, everyone can help remove them. As you clean the seeds, have the younger kids in your family count how many seeds are inside the pumpkin. If each family member has their own pumpkin, you can count your own seeds and compare whose estimates were the most accurate.

Fall math activities related to Geometry:

Activity #3- Simple Geometry and Shapes:

Pumpkins are great for teaching kids about geometric shapes. You can talk with your kids about the shape of the pumpkin. Help them understand that it is not just round but more like a ball or a sphere. If you are going to carve faces out of the pumpkin, talk about the different shapes that make up the face, like triangles for the eyes or an oval for the nose.

(The following are geometry-related fall math activities for the older children in your family)

Activity #4- Measure the Circumference of the Pumpkin:

This activity can be done simultaneously as the younger children in your family are counting their pumpkin seeds. They can use a soft measuring tape or a string to determine the circumference of their pumpkin. Once they measure with the string, they can measure the length of the string with a ruler.

Activity #5- Find the Radius and Diameter of the Pumpkin:

Once you have the pumpkin’s circumference, you can use the formula C= 2 x pi x r to find the radius. Or divide the circumference by 2 x pi to find the radius. The diameter is just two times the radius. If you cut the pumpkin open for baking, you can also measure its radius and diameter with string or measuring tape.

Activity #6- Find the Volume of the Pumpkin:

Once your child has found the Circumference and the radius of their pumpkin, they can use those measurements to determine the approximate volume of the pumpkin by using the formula V= (4/3) x pi x radius³.

Note: These measurements will not be perfectly accurate because the pumpkin is not a perfect sphere, but it is an excellent activity to get children to grasp the concepts of these measurements more physically than just looking at drawings on a piece of paper.

Making a pumpkin pie and learning about fractions:

Baking a pumpkin pie is not only a yummy fall dessert, but it can also be one of the fall math activities that can teach your kids about fractions.

Activity #7- Make a Pumpkin Pie:

Baking is a great way for kids to use math as they measure the ingredients or adjust the recipe. For example, if you are making two pies, you can have your children double the measurements for each ingredient.

Activity #8- Pumpkin Pie Fractions:

You can ask your child to figure out how many pieces of pie you will need to cut so that each family member can have one slice. Then after serving one slice of pie you can ask them to figure out what fraction of the pie has been served and what fraction of the pie remains.

These are just a few pumpkin related fall math activities you can do with your kids. If you haven’t gone to the pumpkin patch to pick out your pumpkins there is still time! Take advantage of pumpkin season and do some pumpkin related fall math activities with your family.

How to Teach Kids to “Try, Try Again”

Susan Cumberland Published: September 26, 2024 Last Updated Date: December 5, 2024

It’s a rare thing to be perfect at anything the first time; so, as parents and guardians, we constantly try to introduce our children to the old saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

In fact, the saying can be traced back to an apropos source: The Teacher’s Manual by Thomas H. Palmer written in 1840.

This almost 200 year old phrase carries a lesson that remains just as relevant today. By encouraging children to work hard and persist through challenges, we help shape a generation equipped to achieve future success.

In this article, we explore some practical ways adults can nurture a resilient “try again” mindset in children.

1. How to Set Kids Up for Success with the Right Challenges

As much as we would like to see children succeed on the first try, parents and teachers should not expect kids to be able to do tasks that are too difficult for them.

For instance, giving a child a book to read that is too advanced will cause the children to be frustrated and give up.

Assigning children tasks that match their current skill level is key to fostering independence and confidence. As they work through these tasks on their own, their confidence grows, creating a strong foundation for tackling more difficult challenges. Gradually increasing the difficulty of tasks while encouraging a child to attempt them independently before seeking help helps build resilience and problem-solving skills.

2. Encouraging Kids to Keep Trying with Positive Praise

The right kind of praise plays a crucial role in fostering a “try again” attitude in children.

Parents and teachers can encourage persistence by focusing on the effort kids put into a task rather than just the outcome. For example, phrases like “I knew you could do it if you kept trying!” or “Practice makes perfect” can motivate them to keep going even when faced with challenges. Teaching children to embrace the timeless saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” reinforces the value of perseverance and determination.

3. Why Avoiding ‘Smart’ Praise Builds a Growth Mindset in Kids

Praising children for being “smart” may unintentionally lead them to believe that effort isn’t necessary to succeed. This mindset can limit their willingness to take on challenges, as they might feel their abilities are fixed.

Instead, research shows that adolescents are capable of growing and learning far beyond their perceived limits. Praising effort with phrases like “Your hard work really paid off” or “I can tell you gave it your best” encourages children to embrace challenges and strive for success. Developing a mindset that values effort over innate ability helps kids see that persistence leads to achievement.

4. Letting Children Solve Problems on Their Own

Encourage kids to figure out solutions on their own before stepping in to help.

If a child asks for assistance, guide them with prompts or clues rather than giving the answer outright. This approach teaches problem-solving skills and builds confidence. However, if a child becomes overly frustrated, it’s okay to provide some support to help them regain focus and motivation.

5. Be the Role Model: Demonstrating Persistence for Your Kids

Children learn by example, so adults should model the persistence they want to instill. For instance, if a parent is troubleshooting an issue like a broken internet connection, they should make an effort to resolve it themselves before seeking outside help. Showing determination in tackling challenges demonstrates to kids that effort and persistence lead to results.

By actively encouraging a “try again” attitude, adults can help children develop resilience and a strong work ethic. As these students grow and face new challenges, they’ll be better equipped to persevere and achieve success.

Helping your child build resilience and a love for learning starts today. School is Easy provides personalized tutoring support to empower students to succeed through effort and persistence. Contact us now to learn more!

Get Creative with Summer Reading Activities: Hold a Reader’s Theatre

Susan Cumberland Published: September 24, 2024 Last Updated Date: February 11, 2025

What is Reader’s Theatre?

Looking for reading activities that spark creativity? Reader’s Theatre might be exactly what you need. This engaging approach transforms ordinary storytime into an exciting group performance, making it perfect for children of all reading levels.

Reader’s Theatre can be as simple as siblings reading a script before bedtime or as elaborate as a neighborhood production. Kids can add costumes and create their own stage, letting their imagination soar while building essential reading skills.

Imagine reading activities like this with your kids:

The audience occupies two rows of mismatched folding chairs set up in the Jones’ backyard. Parents holding babies and toddlers face a makeshift stage framed by two floor lamps holding up an old shower curtain. “Ladies and gentlemen” comes a voice from behind the curtain. We now present a Reader’s Theatre production of “Little Red Riding Hood”.

The performers step out from behind the curtain holding paper scripts. One is wearing a red tablecloth draped on her head and around her shoulders. The others have handmade paper signs hanging around their necks with yarn which read Grandmother, Mother, Huntsman, Wolf, and Narrators 1-4. The nine children stand together on the stage and Narrator 1 begins to read “Once upon a time…”

The magic of Reader’s Theatre lies in how it helps children:

Build excitement and joy around reading
Develop confidence reading aloud with proper flow
Practice public speaking in a supportive environment
Master expressive reading with emotion and personality

Ready to start your own Reader’s Theatre? Here’s how:

Pick a script or create one from a favorite book. Each child gets their own part to read. You’ll find free scripts online at teachingheart.net and timelessteacherstuff.com. Older kids might enjoy writing their own script.
Give out the parts and characters. Let kids make creative name tags showing who plays each role.
Print scripts for everyone. Have each child highlight their lines to make following along easier.
Practice individual parts until everyone feels comfortable with their lines.
Bring the group together to practice. The more they rehearse, the more confident they’ll become.
Help children work on their tone, volume, and expression to bring their characters to life.
Create simple costumes and sets if desired – a perfect summer afternoon activity!
Show time! Perform for family in the living room or invite neighbors for a backyard production.

Now it’s your turn to try a Reader’s Theatre!

Among all reading activities, Reader’s Theatre stands out for creating lasting memories. Get your kids and their friends together and try Reader’s Theater today!

Ready to explore more engaging ways to make learning fun? Connect with School is Easy and discover our full range of creative learning activities and resources that spark joy in education.

5 Homework Tactics For Parents And Tutors To Get Kids Learning

Susan Cumberland Published: September 22, 2024 Last Updated Date: January 8, 2025

Homework Battles? Try These Proven Tactics

Parents know the drill – another evening, another homework struggle. If you’re tired of the nightly dance of “sit down and focus,” you’re not alone. My years working with families have shown that a few smart homework tactics can transform study time from chaos to (mostly) calm.

1. The Power of “Same Time, Same Place”

Kids thrive on routine, even when they resist it. Regular homework hours create the same kind of stability that adults get from their daily schedules. When you set consistent study times, you’re not being strict – you’re showing your child you care about their success.

2. Make Success Tangible and Fun

Want to boost motivation? Start with visibility.

Try tracking homework wins with a colorful chart on the fridge. When your child hits milestones – like completing homework five days straight – celebrate with their favorite meal or activity. These small victories build momentum and confidence. During tutoring, your child’s mentor can reinforce these achievements, creating a support network that extends beyond home. The key is consistency mixed with celebration – it’s amazing how a simple star chart can transform attitudes about homework.

3. Show, Don’t Just Tell

Learning is contagious. Pick up a new hobby, tackle that language app, or dive into an interesting book. Share your “aha!” moments at dinner. When children see us genuinely excited about learning, they’re more likely to embrace it themselves. Great tutors often share their own learning experiences, making education feel more relatable. This approach builds a family culture of curiosity and growth.

4. Step Back to Let Them Shine

Here’s the tough love part. Resist the urge to jump in with answers. Teachers assign homework to gauge understanding and identify gaps. While it’s tempting to help “just a little,” true learning happens when kids work through challenges. Guide them through instructions, but let them own the process.

5. Create Their Perfect Study Spot

Creating the right space changes everything. Setting up the right environment is one of the most overlooked homework tactics we see – but it makes all the difference. Some kids thrive at a quiet desk, others at the kitchen table with background bustle. The key is consistency and comfort. Remove obvious distractions and stock their space with supplies. Apply these same principles when setting up tutoring spaces. Watch how a dedicated study spot transforms focus and productivity. Consider factors like lighting, noise levels, and even temperature – small adjustments often lead to big improvements in concentration and completion time.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s helping your child develop strong, sustainable study habits that last a lifetime. These strategies work together to create a positive homework experience that builds confidence and independence.

Ready to turn homework struggles into success stories? School is Easy specializes in creating personalized learning strategies that work for your family. Contact your local School is Easy location today to discover how we can transform your child’s homework experience.

The Evolution of School Supplies: From Hornbooks to Digital Tablets

Susan Cumberland Published: August 9, 2024 Last Updated Date: February 10, 2025

It’s back-to-school season, which means it’s time to stock up on school supplies. Let’s explore how these essential classroom tools have transformed over time and peek into their future. Get ready for a trip down memory lane.

1700s

The hornbook stands as one of history’s earliest documented school supplies, first appearing in England in 1450 but used more prominently in used in the late 1700s through the mid-1870s. These wooden tablets featured a handle and displayed the alphabet protected by a clear horn sheet. Children carried these portable learning aids to master their letters, often including prayers or passages for memorization.

1800s

The 1800s saw children gathering in one-room schoolhouses with basic school supplies – writing slates, chalk, and a few books bound together with leather straps or belts. Their lunches came in simple tin pails, quite different from today’s insulated containers.

Writing tablets emerged in the late 1800s, offering newsprint sheets with wide spacing for young writers. While most couldn’t afford paper tablets early on, they gained popularity much later in the 1950s and 60s, leading to the spiral notebooks we still use.

1900s

Early to mid-1900s brought paper and pencils into regular use, though students still transported their books by hand or belt rather than bags. The 1930s introduced Dick and Jane readers, which remained standard until the 1970s, teaching beginners with simple phrases like “See Jane run, see Dick run.”

1943 marked the arrival of Pee-Chee folders, featuring student athletes on their covers. Originally only available in peach (hence the name), these organizational tools now come in various colors and remain popular today.

The 1970s introduced pocket calculators to classrooms, evolving into today’s required scientific calculators for middle schoolers. The decade also launched the Trapper Keeper binder, which peaked in the 80s and 90s with its signature Velcro-sealed organizing system.

Backpacks also became the standard for carrying supplies in the 1980s and continue their reign, though experts now caution about their weight impact on developing bodies.

Today and Tomorrow’s School Supplies

Looking ahead, electronic tablets might revolutionize how we think about classroom tools. With built-in notepads, drawing programs, storage space, calculators, research capabilities, and e-books that allow highlighting and annotation, tablets could become the ultimate all-in-one solution for tomorrow’s learners.

Ready to learn more about supporting your child’s educational journey? Contact School is Easy for expert tutoring services and educational resources that help students thrive in today’s evolving classroom environment.