Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in greater los angeles, CA

Early Reading Programs: Word Attack!

May 25, 2009

For my kids' birthdays this year, my mother-in-law sent a giant box of materials from the "Your Baby Can Read" program.  I hadn't heard of it before then, but she said that her friend used it with her children and it helped them do well in school.  Since my kids are not yet in school, I haven't felt any pressure to teach them to read.  In fact, our 4-year-old pretty much learned the alphabet from Sesame Street.  Now that the 2-year-old is talking, I do try to give him some instruction in that department so he can catch up with his big brother, but since I'm in denial that they ever have to go to school, I'm not exactly pushing it.

My denial must come to an end soon.  The older son starts preschool in the fall, which as I understand it from other parents, is simply kindergarten but with naps.  I'm told that once a child hits kindergarten he must have certain basic skills mastered - that's as far as I will let myself think about it.  I know the time will come when I will have to buckle down and find out what those skills are and help him to master them, but that time is not now.

Still, I couldn't help but be curious when I found out that Pierce College's extension program offers summer reading programs for children as young as 4 years.  I don't know about you, but for me the idea of my kid being able to read himself a good night story every now and then is a tempting thought.  If you want to give your child a leg up before he or she starts kindergarten, this is seems like a good way to do it.  "Students in these programs make significant gains in phonics, word-attack, sight vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension."  The classes meet on Saturdays at Cal State Northridge or Pierce College in Woodland Hills.  Tuition is $299. 


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Clay Fantasy

February 16, 2009

So many books, so little time.  It's hard to find one that stands out and captures my preschooler's attention enough to make it worth buying, which is why I frequent the library system.  When one does it is fun to crow about it.  My child and I recently discovered the wonderful world of "Snobbles the Great " by Jason Dobkin and Erica Bragg, a whimsical, daring adventure told in rhyme and illustrated with elaborate colorful scenes made of clay.

Mother on Fire

by Kim Tracy Prince

January 07, 2009

Today is "Parenting Book" day here at Being Savvy, so I'm taking this opportunity to tell you about Sandra Tsing Loh's book " Mother on Fire ," which tells the story of Loh's journey through the school choices available to parents in the San Fernando Valley. That is how the book is marketed, and when I cracked it open, I was eager to discover the secret of navigating among the  Read more...

More Being Savvy Books!

by Kim Tracy Prince

December 04, 2008

1. Mother Goose My original Mother Goose had a black and white cover. I remember reading it as a child. I was overjoyed to receive this version for my children last Christmas, and even more delighted to watch my preschooler learn "Hickory Dickory Dock" and memorize what the dish did with the spoon. I only hope that he will someday sit cross-legged in his room, reading the words himself just  Read more...

Essential books about los angeles

by Kim Tracy Prince

November 25, 2008

Good Night Los Angeles : In the spirit of Goodnight Moon, this is a board book that celebrates local landmarks that our children will recognize. Going to the Getty : Takes you and your child through the adventure of visiting that museum at the top of the hill, you know, the one you note to yourself "we really should visit soon" every time you're stuck on the 405. Clifford Goes To Hollywood:  Read more...

BS San Fernando Books!

by Kim Tracy Prince

November 24, 2008

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle This is one of the first books in our house that was so well-loved that it disintegrated. And it was a BOARD BOOK. Kyle made lots of little sound effects when we read it, and learned the names of all the yummy treats the caterpillar ate on Saturday. It'll have to go our Christmas wish list for his little brother so he can learn about sausages  Read more...

Books to make them laugh

by Kim Tracy Prince

November 18, 2008

I should practice what I preach and read to my kids at times other than right before bed. The three-year-old chooses what books we read to him, and they're usually not relaxing stories that are good for winding down. No, many times these books are funny and require special voices or hand gestures. The latest one even requires us to rap. Yeah, I said it. We rap to our kid. At least it's an  Read more...

Mrs. P's magic library

by Kim Tracy Prince

November 14, 2008

Wanna get a jump on kindergarten reading skills? It's National Young Reader's week, and there's a great website with recommended schedules for reading to your child and Okay, I know that's a tall order, since you can barely get your kid to wear pants, let alone pay attention when you're trying to teach him how to read. But for the times when you actually do have your preschooler's undivided  Read more...

Storytime Update

by Kim Tracy Prince

November 11, 2008

Back in May I wrote about some great local spots for storytimes.  It's about time to update that list, but some good things don't change.  I stand by my recommendations (below) and I'm adding a few new ones: ASL Story Time - Deaf West Theatre, North Hollwood.  Every Saturday at 10AM through December 13.  " Each workshop offers children and adults  Read more...

"creating a lifelong reader"

by Kim Tracy Prince

November 06, 2008

November is all about reading on our national site, which I love because reading has always been my favorite escape. I still remember the maroon wing chair I used to sit in as a young girl, my legs hanging over the arm, my head and neck scrunched over a book for as long as I could stand it. When I was 5, a picture of me at the library appeared in the local newspaper in a story about the  Read more...

Stop fighting and read!

by Kim Tracy Prince

September 11, 2008

All that wonderful talk about coping with sibling rivalry yesterday is all well and good until the toys are flying, time-outs are administered, and you have angry tantrums on your hands. What's a harried parent to do? Well, after time-out has (hopefully) calmed everyone down, take a few quiet minutes to read one of the books recommended by our national blog, Being Savvy . Perhaps reading  Read more...