Competition Between Kids: When Reading Becomes a Race
Your first grader announces that Emma is on “level M” while she’s still on “level G.” Your kindergartener refuses to practice letter sounds because his older sister was already reading chapter books at his age. The teacher posts a reading chart, and your son has the fewest stars. Welcome to one of the most painful…
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My Child Only Wants to Read on Devices: Is That Okay?
You hand your child a beautiful picture book, and they push it away. You offer a chapter book that matches their reading level perfectly, and they say, “No thanks.” But mention an ebook on the tablet or a story on their device? Suddenly, they’re interested. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Millions of parents…
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Dinosaur Books That Actually Teach Reading Skills
Your child, who usually resists reading practice, suddenly can’t put down a book. The secret? Dinosaurs. Those magnificent prehistoric creatures have a special power to turn reluctant readers into eager learners. But here’s what most parents don’t realize: not all dinosaur books are created equal when it comes to building actual reading skills. The magic…
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Marvel Comics for Beginning Readers: Superhero Literacy
Your five-year-old insists they can’t read yet. Then you catch them “reading” their Spider-Man action figure packaging for the third time, narrating an entire adventure complete with sound effects. Your second grader claims books are boring, but they’ve memorized every detail about the Avengers from movie posters and cereal boxes. This could be a super…
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Disney Books That Build Reading Skills
Your preschooler belts out “Let It Go” perfectly, but insists they can’t read their name. Your kindergartener knows every character in Encanto but freezes when faced with a simple sentence. Sound familiar? Here’s a secret weapon hiding in plain sight: the characters your child already adores can become their reading teachers. Disney books aren’t just…
Movie Tie-In Books: Do They Help or Hurt Reading Development?
Movie and TV tie-in books aren’t inferior reading materials or shortcuts that undermine literacy development. They’re legitimate tools that parents can use strategically to build reading skills. The key isn’t whether to use them. It’s how to use them well. Why Screen Characters Belong in Reading Development Beginning readers face an enormous cognitive challenge. They…
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