by Becky Spence In the world of literacy, the idea of learning words by sight has been highly debated for a few decades as the literacy pendulum has swung back and forth between phonics and sight words. I believe, based on reading research, that kids need both sight words and phonics as they are learning […]
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What to Read or Not to Read, That is the Question
written by Tara Lenga, Strategy Consultant at Exceptional Kids Note from Melissa: I asked Tara to write this after a fascinating Facebook conversation on the Imagination Soup page about censorship and what books young kids who are advanced readers should or should not be reading . . . Go here for that conversation. Books for YOUNG […]
Continue ReadingEarly Signs of Dyslexia
Blog post written by Lenka Vodicka, mother, teacher, writer, and photographer. A Dyslexia Story I looked forward to reading with my daughter. We would cuddle together with a stack of books and she would say, “again, again” and we would lose ourselves in favorite stories. I was shocked when that never happened. What is it […]
Continue ReadingToday’s Free eBooks for Kids
Hi! I’m Bethany from the kid lit and play blog No Twiddle Twaddle. Imagination Soup is one of my favorite blogs, so I am thrilled that Melissa has invited me to share my list of free kids’ eBooks with you today. Many people don’t realize that you can download hundreds of free children’s eBooks a […]
Continue ReadingHow Rhyming Teaches Kids Literacy Skills
written by Kate Norris I mistakenly thought that rhyming books were meant for little kids. They aren’t. Rhyming books are valuable and important for literacy skills. Rhyming and Literacy There are two kinds of books for little kids: long books and short books. My daughter (almost four) prefers the long books, with tons of words on every […]
Continue ReadingThe Runaway Wok – Not Just for Chinese New Year
Guest post by Jenni Fischer, mom and filmmaker. The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compesten takes place during the celebration of the Chinese New Year, but it can be shared with children at any time. As an avid traveler pre-kids, now I travel using books like this one. Plus, this fun book gave me an […]
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Guest post by Kristin Autry, preschool teacher turned stay at home mom who blogs at Sense of Wonder. When looking for inspiration for your next art project, I suggest you look no further than your own garden. The beautiful colors, textures, and shapes make the garden an excellent source of material to explore through art. My mother-in-law […]
Continue ReadingFamily Summer University (Game Show Family Fun!)
written by Dr. Harley Rotbart, pediatrician and author of No Regrets Parenting. Bob Stewart, the legendary “father” of TV game show classics such as “The Price is Right,” “To Tell the Truth,” “Password,” “The $10,000 Pyramid,” and countless others died on May 4, 2012. In his memory, I fondly recall Rotbart University, now renamed Family Summer University […]
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