Raising Readers

Children pickup fast. We all know that! Are there any secrets to getting the best use of this characteristic in children?

First, we need to ask ourselves how good a reader are we. Do we read worthwhile matter? Do we have around us books and newspapers or just home deco and ornaments? How many words a day do we actually absorb from our reading?

These are some of the questions that you might want to pause to answer before reading on any further.

In a world where electronic games and virtual playing fields have taken the lead, it is challenging to get your children to close their various DSs, PSPs or Wi's and open their books. How can you compete with visual, aural and interactive features that these various interactive games offer? How can you get a child to prefer a book?

Fortunately, books have evolved too. Books are no longer boring with only words and pictures. They now come in all sizes and shapes with lights, wheels, buttons and are interactive to a great extent. If your children turn away at the sight of a book, these interactive books are a great way to arouse their interest. Furthermore books are read in screens. Google books, amazon and nook are a few examples out there. So developing their interest only requires a little effort from us.

Children love to question and to be asked questions. Try to develop their interest by reading to them initially by describing the pictures and building your own story around the characters. Ask them simple questions about colors and shapes.

Some of the simple things I did.
A decorative and interesting book rack for the children
I even had a world map shower curtain
Magnetic alphabets on the fridge
A white board
I had foam letters in the bath tub
I had them make books for crafts
I make them tell their own stories as well as read to them

These are a few of the many things that we can do to get our children to develop love for reading. Force is the last tool we should use. If children do not show adequate interest simply move on to puzzles and games that they like to play. While some may be natural book worms others might need more encouragement and motivation. Take them to the store and let them pick out their books. You can buy used books from Amazon or even stop by the local good will store or yard sales. Make it an exciting experience and keep saying phrases like "I can't wait till I get home to read that". Before you know it your little one will start reading everything from road signs to cereal boxes and the journey will be enjoyable to you both!

When us mum discuss kids we often hear questions such as which is the toughest stage in raising children each we are not surprised to find that our opinions are vastly different from one others. Don't be surprised to hear one mum shout at that theforst year is the hardest because she could never even take a shower while another complains her terrible two tantrums have been the most difficult to handle so far.

I recall my dad once saying that he and my mum thought that all problems will be over once the kids grow up and become independent. However a whole new set of problems start emerging which probably get worse and worse.

My idea is that every stage of life comes with it's own package of problems. None of us are parenting experts and none of us have heard of a Bachelors or Masters in Parenting. However we all know it is a science by itself and that we all learn from our experience and mistakes.

We know for a fact that the new born blues, the toddler blues, the toilet training nightmares, the first days at school, the food wars will end and the temper tantrums will fade.

Swaddling your baby

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The Preschooler at work!

If you are a parent you know you have had a miracle. That's what a child is - a true miracle right from the time of conception up until they can flap their wings and fly by themselves.

My almost four year old is now a fully potty trained preschool going, no more toddling little girl. If I was to write a song for her it would be "I am not a baby, not yet a girl". When she is in school I miss her constant chatter and sing song. She takes the sunshine with her wherever she goes and fills the room up with her presence. at bed time she becomes the little baby once again.

After a few days of crying and refusing to go to school she once again in settling into her routine and newly made changes to her life. She is meeting new people and making friends as she leaves the comfortable nest of home. She is also reading and questioning everything which is common at this age. The battle for tough love and firmness verses hugs and kisses and affectionate cuddles continues. She is learning that 'No' mean  'No' and that there are no buts and workarounds. She is learning that there are rules that must be followed just like traffic signs that must be obeyed.

I am pleased with changes that school is doing to her. May Allah make it better and better for her each day!

The First Day

For some its all smiles and for others its all tears. A tough day for both children and parents as they go their separate ways perhaps after years of never getting out of the line of sight.

Jannah put on her happy face as she had tea and then we drove off! Her school is just minutes away and she loves it!