Here is what we’ve been watching and listening to so far this month
Playtime Pals
Another great DVD from HiT Entertainment with all of our favorites, Barney, Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, and Fireman Sam. We love popping the DVD and getting a little taste of each series. Each episode concentrates on playing outside and all of the activities we can do together as the weather becomes nicer in most areas. We’ve used the DVD as a great way to get the discussion started on what we’d like to do outside, like gardening and going to the beach. You can find Playtime Pals at Amazon.com
PlainTales
Recently, we’ve been enjoying listening to audiobooks with
the boys. PlainTales offer a great selection of some classic stories that all children will enjoy. We have The Gingerbread Boy and Other First Tales. It includes five stories and is perfect for car rides, naptime, or bedtime. There are a variety of stories available from the different PlainTales series of CDs, including classic folk tales and literary classics. You can learn more about PlainTales at http://www.PlainTales.com or you can purchase them here
Strawberry Shortcake
Jodi and I grew up when Strawberry Shortcake first became such a hit with little girls. It’s nice to know that we can introduce a whole new generation to her. I know my niece loves Strawberry Shortcake as much as we did. Strawberry Shortcake: Happily Ever After and Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Big Journeys are two new additions to the updated cartoon series. You can find them both on Amazon.com
iCarly – Season 1, Volume 2
Tween hit iCarly is back with it’s second volume in the season one series. This DVD set includes 12 new to DVD episodes of the Nickelodeon original series. This show is great for tweens, and features Mirando Cosgrove as a high school student, who, along with her friends, hosts a popular online show. Click the link to buy iCarly: Season 1, Vol. 2
SuperWHY! Hurray for Heroes TV Marathon
SuperWHY! (on PBS) is a MUST SEE for preschoolers. It features fun characters, cute storylines, and unbelievable educational content. My daughter is a pre-reader right now, and this show keeps her interest, and it provides her with some great learning content. She’s absolutely obsessed with it, and the content is so good, I don’t mind her watching it at all. In fact,t here’s even been research showing that children who watched the series improved their phonics and reading skills (research was completed by Dr. Deb Linebarger, PhD). This Memorial Day, there’s a 2-hour marathon of SuperWHY titled “Hurray for Heroes” featuring 4 episodes (2 new, and 2 classic) – don’t miss it!
LeapFrog Letter Factory & LeapFrog Talking Words Factory
These two DVDs have recently been re-released with new packaging, as a result of a partnership between Lionsgate and Leapfrog. As a mom, I love these DVDs, because they are actually helping my daughter learn to read and spell, by teaching her how letters make sounds and come together to make words. The lessons are wrapped around fun storylines, so it doesn’t come across as boring at all. Click the link to purchase LeapFrog – Letter Factory
We have a set of 2 DVDs for one winner – a copy of the Leapfrog Letter Factory, and a copy of the Leapfrog Talking Words Factory. To win, leave us a comment below with your favorite tip to help kids get interested in reading. Contest ends 5/31 and is for US Residents only. Congrats to our winner Natalie.
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{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Leapfrog is a great learning system
read to them- when they are old enough take them to the library and have them see you read too
let them pick out their own books,that way they get something they want to read.
Bring them visit your local library
I set a good example by reading a lot myself.
I just started reading to them from the time I found out I was pregnant. I would read kids books or what I was reading out loud, and continued after they were born. Whether it works or not, I don’t know, but 2 of my 3 kids love to read. The other 1, who is 15, still wants me to read aloud to him, even though he wouldn’t admit it in public!!
My favorite tip is to start them early,my 17 month old grandson has been read too for months an he brings books so he can sit in my lap an read,the earlier you start them the more interested they become
As a retired kindergarten teacher, I can say with confidence that the best way to get kids interested in reading is to read to them every day.
We have a different theme every couple weeks where we pick a topic and read different books on it.
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When I was a child, I did a lot of learning from workbooks, so the only way to get correct answers was to be sure I was reading. In this day in age, we can still do the same thing with the same books *and* with computer programs (which was also a great learning tool in my childhood).
with my elder one, we participated in a program that for every certain book read, you get a coupon and after 5 coupon , you get a watch. She got that so fast. Bottom line, try to find incentives that make them feel they accomplished something on their own.
I’m a teacher and I have the talking letter factory but not the talking words dvd. I let my students watch it and they really did make some improvement. After wathing it 5 times in a row my little brother was able to tell me the letter sound for the majority of the alphabet. I think that’s pretty impressive. He’s a testimony for how helpful these videos can be.
my little one will do anything the bigger kids do…so they help getting her to read
I just left phonics-based shows and videos play on the television all the time. By the age of four, she could read just about anything no matter how small or big the words. Right now, she’s being nosy and reading what I am typing.
My favorite tip to get my grandson excited about reading is I try to find actual animals or stuffed animals that are shown in the books I read to him and he just loves every minute of it.
These books would be great for the grandchildren
We always need new entertainment options!
I print out words on the computer in light colored ink for my son to trace. He is really into learning his letter and practicing reading.
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Read to them and with them daily.
I have a 2 year old and a 9 year old so I could run these over and over and over
Choose fun books for them, their fav character!
we try to read every night before bed and sound out words
Involvement is the best tip I have for getting kids interested in reading. Sit with them, and read…let them choose a book at the bookstore, get involved at the library with Summer Reading programs, etc. It’s worth the effort and will help your children develop a lifelong love for the joy of reading.
ok , well I don’t have a tip as despite my attempts my one year old would rather chew books than read them but thanks so much for posting this question as I’ve got some ideas from the tips other’s have posted!
JeansandTs@hotmail.com
Read, read, read, to the children from birth. I sing and read to the girls. Both music and story telling improves childrens learning skills. When learning is fun, children eagerly seek information.
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My tip is to have a large variety of books on many subjects so that if a child asks a question about something there is a book on hand to find out the answer.
smchester at gmail dot com
Start early – read to them daily and let them see YOU reading. When kids know you value something, they learn to value it too!
To get children interested in reading let them pick out the books they like at the library.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
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My kids are 2 and 4 and LOVE books. I have been reading to them since birth and take them to the library storytimes when it fits into the schedule. We also go to the library regularly to get books of our favorite characters such as Dora, Diego, Curious George, Thomas Train, etc. which greatly helps keep their interest in books and reading.
We also watch TV shows such as SuperWHY, Word World and Sesame Street which help kids learn letters, phonics and spelling.
I hope by my early interventions for learning to read, I will instill a love of books, learning and reading in both of my children.
I would love to win the Leap Frog DVDs.
Withhold affection and nutrition until they express interest. Call block children’s protective services.
The comment above mine just made me laugh!
I read to my kids. My husband reads to my kids. I think that’s it. Showing them how fun books are is the key.
smickelson1993 at yahoo dot com
easy enough, find a subject they like and bring them to the library
let them select what they want thanks for the giveaway
read to the kids every day
Read to them from birth! It’s the best thing you can do for your child! Thanks
My tip would be to start young! We have read to my son since the very beginning…he’s 3 now, and believe me, there isn’t a day we don’t go without books, his discretion of course!
I read to her each night!
The kids love to read!! They get books that they like and about stuff they like to do!
I home school my daughter and this has been our biggest struggle is reading she thinks its boring. So what we did is we got a reading program for her and the way the program is she loves it we have the alphabet and she gets to spell words in a fun way. Make reading fun is a must she now loves reading.
Read to them at least 30 minutes a day.
Read to your kids as much as possible. Let them pick the books – make it exciting. Let them see you reading often as well.
In my house we have a set reading time and everyone has to read parents included It is much easier to get the kids to read if the parents are unavailable to entertain them
Start reading to them really young. Talk about Letters with them and get them interested in reading and learning!
ilovebabynoah707@yahoo.com
read to your children from the time they are little and take them to the library so they can pick their own books to read
I find with my nephew if I read with exaggerated words, with cool sounds and awesome voices- it gets him more into it. Now he goes and grabs books without me asking him to get them….he gets so excited about reading now!!!
well, one thing we do is read to them before bedtime. It really peaks their interest
he already likes reading but I like to make sure he has books around and we go to the library a lot too! thanks.
Getting excited about books, reading yourself, reading to your kids and also letting them pick out the “story” are all good tips to get kids reading.
My tip is to make it fun. Let kids pick out the books that they want you to read and make sure to read everyday!~ Thanks for the chace!
I mostly buy the books they R really interested in.,And have them read them to me
love the leap frog learning tools
I like to take my kids to a book store and let them choose books that interest them.
Simply reading things myself gets them interested
Start reading at birth and it will be second-nature to them.
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My fave tip is to read to them every day.