How to interest your child in books
Want to get your child to read more books?

Here are a few tips that may help to motivate a love of reading.

http://www.essortment.com/family/interestchildre_szkf.htm

A hundred years ago, school children read often and well, mainly because there was little else to do except rely on their imaginations. Consequently, they grew up to be prolific readers, writers, and thinkers, contributing to a 20th century America that became great and strong as a global leader.
Today many school children not only do not read very often, some don't know how. An unfortunate number graduate high school with a third grade reading level or less. It's not uncommon to hear a first-year college student boast, "I've never read a complete book in my life."
google_protectAndRun("ads_core.google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad);
That's a far cry from the previous generation, with precarious implications for the future leadership of our country. If you are concerned about getting your kids to read more, and enjoy it, here are a few tips:

1. Keep good books at home. Stock shelves, coffee tables, and bedrooms with classic tales or modern novels by authors who are worth reading. Subscribe to a book club or read publishers' lists to find out about new books that are coming out and which ones are recommended especially for young readers.

2. Reward family readers. From verbal praise like "I'm so impressed that you finished that book so quickly" to a penny per page incentive, parental support of a reading habit goes a long way toward encouraging kids to start and stay with a book. Establish a family reading time after supper or before bedtime. Take turns reading aloud or have everyone read their own book separately, sharing highlights over dinner.

3. Reinforce good stories. Rent or borrow films for books that family members have read, like Lord of the rings or The Scarlet Letter. Discuss the film afterward, comparing characters, scenes, and plot development to the original book.

4. Sponsor a contest. Talk to your child's teacher about sponsoring a reading contest for the class. Students who read five or more books per month will receive special privileges, such as 10 minutes of extra playground time or free cafeteria lunches for a week. If the school has no budget for incentives like these, ask parents to donate or contact local businesses in the community to see if they will contribute to a reading program.

5. Hold a book fair. Ask the school to arrange one day to have a children's author visit to talk about his or her books, which will be on display. Children can also write and bind their own stories, exhibiting these for parents to view and admire. Biographies of famous writers and their work can be posted for discussion groups of parents with their children. Serving refreshments will add a special touch to the day.

6. Visit a book sale, convention, or trade show to expose your children to a wider world of stories and publishing. They will be amazed by the number and type of books on display. If some are for sale, try to get one for each child as a souvenir, which is so much more meaningful than an amusement part troll doll or stuffed animal.
Books are an important part of life. They teach us new ideas and introduce us to other people and cultures. Help your children understand their special role by following steps like these to celebrate quality literature.

http://www.essortment.com/in/Children.Education/index.htm

Music education and child development
Provides several ideas on how to introduce music into a child's life. Includes ideas on how to progress through teaching and answers a few of the concerns parents may have.

http://www.essortment.com/all/musiceducation_rkfw.htm

Music Lessons always use your best judgement considering who you choose to hand your child over to for one to two hours a week. Perhaps someone you know in your community or congregation is qualified in a certain instrument or you feel has a greater knowledge of your child’s chosen genre. In the beginning especially, budget and time are greater factors than the teacher’s abilities. At this point in time, you are simply looking to give your child a solid base. It’s possible that one hour out of the month is sufficient for you and your child. Once again, use your best judgement.
Always keep track of your child’s progress. You will surely find that he has or will gain a leg up in his academics. The responsibility an instrument gives a child is also priceless. It is very important to keep track of his progress and to keep him talking about his accomplishments. As your child progresses, keep an active part in the learning experience. Do not push him, however. Once learning becomes a chore, the child quickly loses interest and begins to dislike his newfound abilities. Last of all, keep your eyes and ears open, but most of all, your heart.

A parent's guide to helping their child with homework

http://www.essortment.com/in/Children.Education/index.htm

Learn how to help your child with their homework in a productive way that stimulates the learning process.

Homewok is an important part of a child’s learning process, it is also a great way for parents to get involved and stay informed about what is being taught. The best way to ensure a productive learning experience while doing homework depends on the child. Being stuck at a desk, in a quiet room, alone is not always the best way to learn.
When your child gets home from school, it is important to discuss their day and find out what homework they have been given. This allows you and your child to create a plan for getting the homework done.
google_protectAndRun("ads_core.google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad);
Some children would rather jump right in and complete their homework rather than have it on their mind all afternoon. Others need a mental break from the day before they can delve into more schoolwork. Either scenario is fine, as long as there is a mutually agreed upon plan.
It is also important to give your child a healthy snack or dinner before they begin their homework. Hunger can be a major distraction, and kids are usually looking for any excuse to put off doing their homework. Eliminate the chance of this distraction by providing a healthy snack, preferably with protein. Good snacks include a piece of bread with peanut butter, some turkey and carrots or a fruit smoothie. These snacks should keep their energy level up and keep them from feeling lethargic.
Next, decide on the best environment for your child to do their homework in. It could be at a desk in their room, at the kitchen table or in an office. Any area is fine as long as it is relatively free from distractions. Never allow your child to do homework with the television on. Many people prefer light background music, and studieshave shown that it could be beneficial to thought, versus a room that is dead silent.
Before your child sits down to work, be sure that all the supplies they will need are readily available at the table. Also be sure that they have used the restroom and that they have a glass of water to drink. Avoiding these potential distractions will save your child time once they begin their homework, as well as preventing breaks in their concentration level.
The amount of assistance you provide your child with their homework, again depends on the child. If you are concerned, consult their teacher for guidance on how much help they should be getting. In general, you should be available to answer questions but not hanging over their shoulder doing the work for them.
It is especially important to not overly assist your child on school projects. Parents tend to put too much emphasis on the quality of their child’s cotton ball igloo or Popsicle stick replica of the White House. Oftentimes, parents end up making it their project and the child loses out on a valuable learning experience.
The most important things to remember when helping your child with their homework is to help them stay organized, provide a comfortable work environment and answer any questions they ask without being too involved.