Preschool / Kindergarten
Program Full For 2013-14
PRIVATE
TUTORING
waiting list available
CALL FOR INFORMATION
or to arrange a visit
705.812.1123
Barrie/Innisfil Ontario
Program Full For 2013-14
PRIVATETUTORING
waiting list available
CALL FOR INFORMATIONor to arrange a visit
705.812.1123
Barrie/Innisfil Ontario
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READING WITH YOUR CHILD
READING WITH YOUR CHILD
Reading With Your Child
Reading With Your Child - On The Path to Literacy
Before you read
Look at the cover and read the author and illustrator’s names. Look for information on the back of the book about the author. When was the book written? This helps children develop an understanding of whom their favourite author might be, as well as helps them realize that writing books is a possible career! Authors are real people!
Start at the beginning and look at the pictures together. Point out things of interest together. Ask your child what might be happening, and why?
While reading
Have fun using creative expression and different voices. Make it extra funny by using unusual voices in a familiar story – for example, a high, squeaky voice for the wolf and a deep, booming voice for the pig.
Follow along with your finger – your child may catch a few words this way. This also sets the stage for a good habit when your child begins reading.
When you see an opportunity, stop and ask your child what might happen next. If your child comes up blank, you can model how to predict by offering a couple of ideas. One might be probable, while the other improbable. Your child can then choose. It’s okay to guess and not be correct. Read on to find out what happens!
Ask your child if he/she has ever experienced a particular event or feeling in the story, and what happened next. How did it feel? Relate events to your own lives.
Read one or two pages, then close the book and have your child retell what just happened. This is an excellent skill that can develop gradually until your child can retell all the events from beginning to end.
Discuss who the different characters are and find some qualities of each. Is a character brave or creative? How do you know? Relate them to people you know.
Discuss the setting – ask your child’s opinion of the time and place, then give your own.
Could this story really happen? Is it fiction or non-fiction? How do you know?
Use your imagination
Books, Books and More Books
Filling your home with good-quality, interesting books is as easy as a trip to your local library. Making a daily ritual of reading will not only instil a love of reading in your children, but will bring you closer to them. It is a win/win situation! Try creating a special time and place to read every day. Be a model yourself by turning off the TV, putting your feet up and diving into a favourite novel.
By Trudi Barrett
Here are some ideas to try when reading stories together.Before you read
Look at the cover and read the author and illustrator’s names. Look for information on the back of the book about the author. When was the book written? This helps children develop an understanding of whom their favourite author might be, as well as helps them realize that writing books is a possible career! Authors are real people!
Start at the beginning and look at the pictures together. Point out things of interest together. Ask your child what might be happening, and why?
While reading
Have fun using creative expression and different voices. Make it extra funny by using unusual voices in a familiar story – for example, a high, squeaky voice for the wolf and a deep, booming voice for the pig.
Follow along with your finger – your child may catch a few words this way. This also sets the stage for a good habit when your child begins reading.
When you see an opportunity, stop and ask your child what might happen next. If your child comes up blank, you can model how to predict by offering a couple of ideas. One might be probable, while the other improbable. Your child can then choose. It’s okay to guess and not be correct. Read on to find out what happens!
Ask your child if he/she has ever experienced a particular event or feeling in the story, and what happened next. How did it feel? Relate events to your own lives.
Read one or two pages, then close the book and have your child retell what just happened. This is an excellent skill that can develop gradually until your child can retell all the events from beginning to end.
Discuss who the different characters are and find some qualities of each. Is a character brave or creative? How do you know? Relate them to people you know.
Discuss the setting – ask your child’s opinion of the time and place, then give your own.
Could this story really happen? Is it fiction or non-fiction? How do you know?
Use your imagination
- change the ending or change the names of characters to your children’s names as you read
- leave out words in familiar stories (especially at the end of sentences) for your child to fill in
- skip a page in a familiar book to see how well your child knows the progression of events and alerts you to your error
- instead of reading a book together, be your own storytellers:
“Once upon a time, there was a little boy/girl named, _____________ . He/She had a best friend named, _____________ . They loved to go ______________ . etc.
Books, Books and More Books
Filling your home with good-quality, interesting books is as easy as a trip to your local library. Making a daily ritual of reading will not only instil a love of reading in your children, but will bring you closer to them. It is a win/win situation! Try creating a special time and place to read every day. Be a model yourself by turning off the TV, putting your feet up and diving into a favourite novel.
Enjoy the wide world of reading together!
BARRIE: 705.812.1123
"The child can only develop by means of experience in his environment."
Maria Montessori
"A person’s a person, no matter how small."
Dr. Suess
"The child is truly a miraculous being and this should be felt deeply by the educator."
Maria Montessori
"Allowing the child to observe, to explore and to follow his normal interests is a form of respect towards the child."
Maria Montessori
Parent Comments
"We enrolled our 3 year old son at LOVE OF LEARNING and we are so impressed at how much he has learned. His ability to grasp new concepts and skills is truly amazing. Trudi Barrett really cares about each individual student and has a very unique talent for tailoring individual learning techniques to get the most out of our child."
Ben and Jill Wiebe
Ben and Jill Wiebe
"My son is eager to get to school and to learn! He loves the hands-on activities and the warm and supportive approach used by his teacher. The programme is tailored to meet his individual needs and interests. I am thrilled with the excellent communication through daily photos and e-mail updates. I would highly recommend Love of Learning Preschool as the programme is exemplary and Trudi is dynamic, passionate and devoted to the children.
K. Butler"
K. Butler"
"My daughter started the Love of Learning in 2010. She went from being shy and quiet to confident and one of the best readers in her class. I can only imagine where she will be by the end of the school year. I can't thank you enough Trudi for the great gift of the head start. The foundation that you set is like no other I have seen. You truly have a beautiful gift!"
L. Messina
L. Messina
"My 5 year old son is in his second year (SK) with Trudi and loving every minute of it. He started off a little unsure but with Trudi's commitment and dedication he has developed great confidence and this year is displaying several leadership skills. He is always excited to share what he is learning and pin all his artwork on the fridge! Trudi offers a wonderfully unique learning experience that prepares children for their next step. Thank you so much, we cannot say it enough!"
M. Sarlat
M. Sarlat
"Thank-you so much for being such a fabulous and inspiring teacher for our son. I get so excited watching him develop a love of learning and see him as he discovers the world of text that surrounds him. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!!!!"
P. Bouchard
P. Bouchard
"My two boys, aged 3 and 5, attended Love of Learning and both have thrived. Trudi allows them to express their personalities, explore interests and develop enthusiasm for learning that is wonderful to observe. Trudi provides daily updates of activities in the classroom, along with photos, and is always receptive to chatting at the end of the day if I have questions or concerns. Her ideas and teaching methods are creative and effective, and she clearly cares about the whole child."
Tara N.
Tara N.
"I cannot say enough about the benefits I have seen in my son after attending Love of Learning for the past year. His social and academic skills have developed by leaps and bounds. Where before he had been only an observer in classroom and playtime activities, within a week Miss Trudi reported that he was playing with the other kids and within a month he was actively participating at circle time. Soon after, his teacher at ‘regular’ school also began to report the changes in his behaviour and participation level. His confidence grew and he began to be a much more engaged student! Thank you Miss Trudi!"
T. Bedford
T. Bedford