Your child already loves Bluey. They quote episodes, play “Keepy Uppy,” and probably ask for “one more” episode every single day. But here’s what you might not realize: those same beloved characters can become your secret weapon for building reading skills and social development. The Bluey craze isn’t just entertainment, it’s a reading goldmine waiting […]
Your neighbor’s four-year-old is reading chapter books while your child is still working on letter sounds. Your friend’s six-year-old devours novels while your little one prefers picture books. Sound familiar? Take a deep breath—every child’s reading path looks different, and that’s perfectly normal. The Truth About Reading Timelines Here’s what every parent needs to know: […]
Your five-year-old can perfectly sound out “s-a-d” in their early reader book, but looks puzzled when the next page uses “gloomy” instead. They breeze through phonics worksheets but stumble when books use words like “furious” instead of “mad” or “enormous” instead of “big.” Welcome to the vocabulary gap—the hidden reading roadblock that trips up countless […]
Pete’s got his groove on! This cool cat has captured millions of young hearts with his positive attitude and catchy songs. But here’s the secret sauce: Pete the Cat books aren’t just entertaining, they’re literacy powerhouses disguised as fun stories. Let’s dig into how these beloved books align perfectly with the Science of Reading and […]
The appointment’s running late. Traffic’s not moving. The restaurant table isn’t ready yet. Sound familiar? Kids spend hours waiting every week—and most of that time gets wasted on meltdowns, boredom, and “Are we there yet?” Instead, smart parents turn those moments into reading goldmines. Here’s your game plan for making the most out of every […]
Meet Pig. He’s greedy. He’s selfish. He’s absolutely hilarious. And somehow, this badly-behaved pug has stolen the hearts of millions of kids worldwide! Aaron Blabey’s Pig the Pug series has sold nearly 10 million copies globally, and there’s a reason this little troublemaker keeps kids coming back for more. These books prove that sometimes the […]
Your preschooler flips through a book about dinosaurs, captivated by the colorful pictures but confused by the labels, arrows, and bold words scattered across the pages. Learning to navigate these text features is crucial for understanding non-fiction books and building early literacy skills. What Are Text Features Text features are the visual elements that organize […]
Your kindergartner eagerly picks up a book but loses interest after two pages. Your second grader loves stories but gets restless during chapter books. Building reading stamina, the ability to focus on text for extended periods, is crucial for your child’s literacy success. What Is Reading Stamina? Reading stamina is your child’s ability to sustain […]
Your child comes home with reading test scores, and you stare at confusing numbers and letters, wondering what they actually mean. Is your child succeeding or struggling? These benchmark tests provide valuable information, but only when you understand how to interpret them correctly. What Are Reading Benchmark Tests Reading benchmark tests measure your child’s literacy […]
Your four-year-old writes their name but flips the ‘R’ backward. Your kindergartner confuses ‘b’ and ‘d’ when reading. These letter reversals worry many parents, but they’re actually a normal part of early literacy development for most children. Understanding why reversals happen and when they’re typical versus concerning gives you the tools to support your child’s […]
