always a better idea to put your child in
a;secure;area;with;a;pile;of;books;than
in front of the TV. We sometimes would
have classical music playing softly in the
background during these quiet times,
which;is;another;way;to;make;the;home
environment educationally rich.
Reading
In addition to aiming for a conversation-ally;rich;environment,;it’s;wise;to;start
reading;picture;books;to;your;baby;as
soon as he can sit comfortably on your
lap. He may quickly develop favorites,
so;patience;is;required;if;you;are;asked
to;read;the;same;book;repeatedly!;I;re-call;being;asked;to;read;one;of;the;books
from the Johnny Lion series—a sixty-four-page;book;with;too;few;pictures—
multiple;times;in;one;sitting.;I;may;keep
that one hidden once I have a grandchild!
Your local library can be extremely
kind to your budget, especially when
your children are in the picture-book
stage.;Unlike;lengthy;chapter;books;that
take;time;to;digest,;it’s;easy;to;go;through
multiple;picture;books;in;one;day.;Our;li-
brarians used to love us because we regu-
larly;checked;out;fifty;or;more;books;ev-
ery time we would visit. Our record was
sixty-five,;and;one;time,;I;mentioned;that
I;was;sorry;for;making;so;much;work
for the poor librarian who had to scan
our selections. She reassured me, how-
ever, that they actually loved all the busi-
ness,;because;the;more;books;that;were
checked;out,;the;more;taxpayer;funding
they would receive. Children love librar-
ies, so visit often, because it will encour-
age;them;to;keep;reading.
One major advantage that homeschool
parents have over those who have chosen
an;institutional;setting;for;their;children’s
education is that homeschool parents
will;know;right;away;if;their;child;is;hav-
ing a problem learning to read, since they
are working one-on-one. Someone in
the;know;once;told;me;that;in;the;public
school;system,;if;a;child;isn’t;reading;well
by third grade, he is basically considered
a lost cause and will just be moved from
one;grade;to;the;next.;Specialized;help
may not be available since plans for the
majority of students must be met, and
reading;is;a;skill;that;should;already;have
been;attained;in;first;and;second;grade.
Homeschool parents, on the other hand,
will;know;right;away;if;there;is;a;prob-
lem, so they are able to provide their
child with the help he needs. Sometimes,
it may be a matter of waiting for devel-
opment;to;take;place;;other;times,;a;tu-
tor may be needed. In either case, early
knowledge;about;a;potential;problem;is
a distinct advantage for homeschoolers.
Writing
Your child will do some writing as he
learns;to;read,;but;the;serious;work;really
starts once he is a good reader. Narration,
copy;work,;and;dictation;are;all;impor-
tant and integral steps in the early writ-
ing phase. Narration is when your child
tells you, in his own words, what he has
just read or what has been read to him.
Excellent comprehension is critical in
all;stages;of;education,;and;asking;your
www.TheOldSchoolhouse.com;Grooming;Great;Writers;•;Annual;Print;Book;2014;127
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AN AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
National University Virtual High School helps students stay on track,
accelerate their progress, and take supplemental coursework to
enhance their academic experience.
ONLINE COURSES PROVIDE CHALLENGE AND FLEXIBILITY
• Over 100 high school courses
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As time goes by, if you
notice that your child is
still reluctant to read and
write,;don’t;give;up!
©
2013
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627
AN AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
National University Virtual High School helps students stay on track,
accelerate their progress, and take supplemental coursework to
enhance their academic experience.
ONLINE COURSES PROVIDE CHALLENGE AND FLEXIBILITY
• Over 100 high school courses
• College prep and AP® courses
• Media-rich, instructor-led courses
• Part-time or full-time enrollment
• Approvals: WASC, UC “a-g,”
College Board, NCAA, and NAIA
• Online SAT prep program
NOW ENROLLING FOR SPRING
Call toll-free 866.366.8847 or visit nuvhs.org
A NEW WAY TO ACHIEVE
