Archives for December 2021

15 New Year’s Activities for Kids

December 31, 2021

Some parents might be making last-minute plans for New Year’s celebrations. This holiday is often a popular time for parties, dinners and late night celebrations, but not all parents will feel like venturing out. Parents might have trouble securing a babysitter at the last minute, while others just want to spend this evening with their family.

When celebrating this festive eve with children, though, how can parents keep them entertained? Little ones might head to bed hours before midnight, but older children can stay wide awake until the clock strikes midnight. Try these 15 New Year’s activities for kids to keep young celebrants busy as they anticipate the awaited—and hyped—countdown to the New Year.

1. Watch a Double-Feature

A New Year’s movie night can be a great way to lead up to the late night countdown. Families can schedule a double-feature, with the movies beginning around dusk. Order in pizza or other takeout or just make something easy for dinner that children can eat as they watch the movie.

Parents also could schedule dinner a little earlier and serve up some classic movie snacks. Pop popcorn and let children enjoy their favorite movie candy, too. Schedule a little break between movies, so everyone can stretch and prepare for the next feature.

Not sure what to watch? Check streaming services or video-on-demand services to find fun movies for kids.

2. Host a Family Game Night

New Year’s Eve is the perfect game night. Grab the family’s favorite board games and have everyone change into cozy pajamas for the night. Let children each pick out a favorite game to play, and parents can pick their favorite, too.

Families also can opt for a kid-friendly ‘card shark’ night. Play family-friendly card games!

3. Write Resolutions

New Year’s is the time for resolutions. Children and parents can sit down and decide on a New Year’s resolution that they would like to make for the coming year. The family also could make one together.

Ideas for family resolutions are: getting active, decreasing tech time, or spending more time together.

4. Cook a Meal Together

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a big dinner and maybe dessert, too. Cook something special together as a family. Everyone should have a job in the kitchen. Little hands can help with small (and safe) tasks. Recipes also are a great way for children to practice reading and math skills.

Sit down together as a family and eat together. Talk about the year; discuss favorite memories and maybe even some times that weren’t so good. Families also can talk about their hopes for the New Year and what excites them about the future.

5. Make Joy or Blessing Jars

Joy jars, blessing jars or gratitude jars are all the same concept. These simple jars hold moments that bring happiness, and they’re easy to make. Use old glass jars (with the lids) and decorate them with stickers, fabric, paints or anything that might happen to be in the craft drawer at home. Children can decorate their jar any way they want, because it’s what’s inside these jars that is most important!

Starting on January 1, everyone should write one thing for which they are grateful or that made them happy. Every day, add another blessing or joy into the jar. At the end of the year—the next New Year’s Eve—read all the notes. Everyone will have 365 moments of happiness! Then start the tradition again!

6. Make a Calendar!

For children who love crafts, spend New Year’s Eve making a calendar for the year. Parents can print out pages for the months, and children can choose to illustrate each month in their own way.

Pictures or illustrations will be drawn on the back of the previous month to represent the next month. However, January will need a blank piece of paper for its illustration. Parents who are confused on how this should look can just use an old calendar for reference.

7. Dance the Night Away!

Stream some kid-friendly tunes and have a dance party. Plan for an upbeat party and include tunes that will get kids moving.

8. Make Glitter Slime!

Do kids love slime? Make the slime festive for New Year’s with glitter slime! The Best Ideas for Kids has the recipe for gold glitter slime, but kids can make this gooey gross—but pretty—slime in any color. Add rainbow glitter or silver glitter instead of gold!

9. Clean out the Old

When waiting for the hours to creep to midnight, the family can embrace a tradition of getting rid of old relics from the past. Grab a few trash bags and clean out closets or toy bins of items that are no longer needed or wanted.

Families can set a goal that each person has to find 10 items that they don’t need. These items can be clothes, toys or something else. Start fresh and clean out the old!

10. Have a Family Olympics

This is an activity that can be planned at the last minute. Family Olympics can include any sport parents can imagine or dream up. Think of games like:

Build a pillow fort fastest

Worm races (squirm like a worm across the floor)

Hula hoop contests

Three-legged races

Parents need to consider their space when planning events. If it’s a nice evening, an outdoor Olympics could be feasible, but some may have to play indoors. Choose activities that won’t cause injuries, too. Parents don’t want to end up in the emergency room in the middle of the night!

11. Explore the Night Sky

If it’s a clear night, take children outside and let them explore the cosmos on New Year’s Eve. Parents can download an app called SkyView Lite that uses the phone’s camera to identify the celestial bodies in the sky. Children can learn what constellations and planets are visible on the last night of the year.

12. Plan to Journal a Year of Memories

Buy older children a journal, preferably with a blank cover. These can be purchased at any store; parents can opt for just a paperback journal that is often required for language arts classes. A paper bag can be cut to create a book cover for the journal; children can decorate the plain brown cover however they wish.

The purpose of the journal is to encourage children to write something every day of the year. This is a concept that is similar to the joy jar, but the journal can include more in depth memories. At the end of the year, children can read their own story.

13. Make Some Noise

In some parts of the country, homeowners set off fireworks to celebrate the New Year. Others will just use noisemakers and go outside to make noise at midnight.

Children can create their own New Year’s instruments with items from around the house. If parents have any old plastic Easter eggs lying around, let children decorate them and fill them with beans or rice. That egg is now a noise maker!

Noisemakers also can be made from plastic water bottles! Parents also can let children bang on pots and pans with utensils.

14. Plan a Kid-Friendly Toast at Midnight

For kids that are planning to keep their eyes open until the clock hits midnight, let them ring in the New Year in a festive but kid-friendly way. At midnight, parents can sip champagne in fancy flutes while children drink sparkling grape juice from their own special flutes.

Many parents might be hesitant to give children expensive stemware. Opt for plastic flutes for children, or parents can thrift a few fancy flutes! Kids will love the experience.

15. Say Goodnight with New Year’s Stories

Don’t skip the bedtime stories for younger children who can’t stay up to see the New Year. Instead, theme the story time for New Year’s. Visit the library and check out books about New Year celebrations or traditions in other parts of the world.

Parents who are celebrating New Year’s Eve with their children can fill the night with lots of activities to keep them entertained until the countdown begins. Use any—or all—of the above kid-friendly activities for a festive, fun and celebration at home!

Elementary School Reading Apps that are Perfect for All Reading Levels

December 28, 2021

Families might have multiple children in different elementary grades. Each child may be learning the same subjects with different expectations. However, all elementary students have one common homework assignment: reading!

Parents may be managing reading expectations at different levels of reading. Some children could be fluent readers, others might just be learning. Parents also may have children who struggle with reading. The bookshelf could be overflowing with literary options, and parents also could use reading apps to encourage reading.

Are there apps that can be used by all ages, though? Yes! Check out these elementary school reading apps that are perfect for all reading levels and all elementary grades, too!

Audible

Audible can be downloaded for free and it’s perfect for all ages The app is actually a portal to hundreds of thousands of books, including many favorite titles.

Parents can play around with the app to find audiobooks that could be used to let children listen while they read. Some children benefit from hearing the story as they read it and follow along.

Audible also includes non-fiction stories, and children can read about different subjects. Parents may need to search to find the best titles for the child’s age. However, audiobooks can help complement reading time for children who need an auditory component.

While downloading the app is free, parents will need to sign up for a subscription to access books. Audible sometimes has deals on subscriptions, and parents may want to review what’s available. When signing up for promotional deals, though, parents also need to understand that after a few months, the rate may revert to the typical cost.

PopSmartWrite

This app is unique in that it helps children be an author and write their own stories. The app lets children get creative with story writing and incorporate their own photos or illustrations. Using the app, they can write poetry or start a journal, too.

The app is free to download, and it can even be used in the classroom. However, the app explains that there are options to purchase in-app products. Prices for these products range from $4.99 to $79.99.

Parents who want to use this app to foster creativity and encourage their child to develop their own stories should be mindful of the in-app purchasing options. Parents might consider downloading the app and exploring it first before letting children use it solo. That way, parents can better understand what items might be available for purchase and can take measures to disable in-app purchases if necessary.

Kids A-Z

If children use Raz-Kids at school, download Kids A-Z for home. The app lets kids read stories and complete comprehension quizzes. Their app also provides access to Headsprout and Science A to Z programs.

Parents can download Kids A-Z free of charge, but children must have access to one of the products to use them at home. Not sure if children use these products in the classroom? Contact teachers to inquire.

Local Library Apps

Books don’t always have to be bound. Try e-materials to add a virtual element to reading.

Local libraries may use apps like Overdrive (ebooks, magazines, etc.), hoopla (ebooks, audiobooks, music, etc.), Flipster (magazines) or others for virtual e-rentals. Check with the local branch to inquire about renting ebooks or other materials for elementary school students. Then download the applicable apps via Google Play or the App Store.

Ebooks and other virtual reading materials might be a great option for children who love technology.

eReaders

Many tablets and smartphones are preloaded with an e-reader app. Clicking the app icon will lead parents (or children) into a virtual environment that allows them to purchase and download books. Some titles are free!

Virtual books are a great way to let children explore different books and stories from home. Some children may gravitate toward the screen, and using an ereader could motivate them to read more.

Readability

For children who struggle with reading, try the Readability reading program app. Readability offers a lesson-based approach to reading. The program includes a built-in AI tutor that is programmed with voice-recognition software to allow it to understand each child’s voice. All stories are read aloud with Readability, and, if a child stumbles or struggles with a word, the AI tutor will provide assistance. At the end of each book, children also are quizzed by the tutor to test their understanding of the story.

When using Readability, parents can set their child’s reading level or the program can determine the best level. Children will only move to a more difficult reading level when they have demonstrated proficiency with fluency and comprehension. This ensures that children don’t advance to harder text until they are ready.

Parents can use the Parent Dashboard to follow their child’s reading journey. This portal shows all the child’s reading data, including words read per minute and reading level. Parents can even compile this reading data into a report that can be sent to the child’s teacher.

Readability is a subscription-based program. Subscribers pay $19.99 per month, but up to three children can use one account. In addition, parents can sign up for a free seven-day trial period, which offers full access to stories and the AI tutor.

What Game-Based Apps are Good for Reading Practice?

When parents search through the App Store or Google Play, they will find LOTS of reading apps that are designed as games. Many apps include games to help children learn their letters and sight words. These apps are designed more for younger children than those in higher elementary grades.

However, children in lower grades will need to learn a list of sight words. These games can help children review and learn to recognize sight words while having fun.

Game-based apps also could be beneficial for younger children who are struggling to identify letters and sounds or who just need a little practice. However, parents should research the games for their children to make sure they are a good fit for the child’s age and learning needs.

Many game-based apps are free, but they may offer in-app purchases. Parents should disable in-app purchase options via their phone if they don’t want their child to be able to make purchases while playing the game. Otherwise, parents could end up with charges that they weren’t expecting.

What Apps Will Grow With Children?

Some subscription based apps like Epic, ReadingIQ and Readability can be used throughout elementary school and maybe even into middle school. In addition, apps that provide access to library materials also can be used by all grade levels (although parents should supervise).

Choosing apps that grow with children also means that parents with children of different ages can all use the app. Some subscriptions—including Readability—let multiple children use one account. With multiple users having access, parents can get much more use out of the subscription.

Not all apps will be ideal for every child, though. Before signing up for a monthly subscription, parents can inquire about any trial offers. Trial periods let parents and their children use the program to see if it’s something that they will enjoy using. No one wants to pay for a program that isn’t beneficial!

Parents should read the terms of trial period offers, though. Programs may require users to cancel the trial within a certain time period, otherwise they may be billed for a month of service.

Interested in trying out Readability? Sign up for a free trial today and meet the AI tutor!

The Best Educational Toys That Kids Love as Much as Their Parents

December 24, 2021

Perhaps every parent has their list of most loathed toys. Some may have disdain for any moldable dough that gets gunked into carpet. Some parents don’t like to play with foam darts. Others shudder at the thought of buildable bricks that get stuck in their feet.

Children, however, may have their own list of toys that make them cringe. Educational toys might top that list. Can toys be fun and educational? The best educational toys that kids and parents both love include all types of entertaining options that will make perfect gifts for the holidays or a birthday.

Looking for a great gift idea that’s both fun and offers some learning potential? Here is a list of educational toys for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary kids!

Toddlers

Toddlers can start learning their letters, colors and numbers, too. These toys help children learn through play. Lights and other sensory activities encourage exploration. Hands-on learning through play also may help children work on fine motor skills.

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Light Up Vacuum (Ages 12 months to 3 years)

Playing house or helping parents or caregivers clean the house is a fun learning experience with this interactive vacuum. When children push the vacuum when it is ‘off,’ they can hear songs and learn colors and counting. The vacuum also can let them engage in imaginary play, too; turn the switch and the vacuum sounds like the real deal!

Laugh and Learn Smart Phone (for ages 6 months to 3 years)

There is no guilt about screen time with this phone! Parents can hand over this educational smartphone and let children play by pushing all the buttons. Parents also don’t have to worry about little ones accidently clicking ‘buy!’ The Laugh and Learn Smart Phone includes lots of different songs, but children will learn about counting and numbers, too. This smartphone also can keep little ones engaged with light displays.

Caterpillar Gears by Melissa & Doug (for ages 18 months and over)

A wooden caterpillar is composed of multiple colorful gears. When they turn the gears, they also can learn how it moves the other parts. Let children see how fast they can spin the gears. Children can learn about their colors as they play, and they also can work on their fine motor skills.

Peek-a-Boo Octopus (for ages 0 months to 3 years)

The little octopus is hiding a few friendly surprises. Hidden in pockets found in four of the octopus’ arms, there is a sea creature friend waiting to be discovered. Each little sea friend makes a sound, too!

Float and Find Alphabet Bubbles (ages 2 years to 6 years)

These plastic bubbles can float in the bath or just in a container of water. Have children pull a bubble and identify the letters on each bubble. On the other side is an image that matches the sound—one is a zebra for the letter z. This fun game helps children learn to identify letters and their sounds.

Preschoolers (ages 3 to 5)

These toys help preschoolers work on memory skills, identify colors and work on fine motor skills, too. Of course, all the toys encourage fun and perhaps a little imagination, too!

Ladybug’s Garden Memory Game

Cute wooden red happy ladybugs are sitting on a secret! Underneath each bug is a picture for a fun match game. Instead of flipping over cardboard cards, children remove a ladybug to play! If two matching pictures are revealed, the player keeps their two wooden ladybugs. This game helps children with memory skills. Whoever collects the most ladybugs wins the game!

Build a Flower Garden STEM Toy

Children can build their own flower garden with different hues of flower petals, pistils, stamens, leaves and bases. Create a different flower each time using these mix and match pieces. Children can work on hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. BPA free!

Mega Bloks Big Building Bag (ages one year and up!)

The Mega Bloks bag was a recommendation from Good Housekeeping, and it’s certainly destined to be a favorite of both kids and parents. These massive blocks won’t be as likely to get stuck to a parent’s foot in the middle of the night, and kids will love building with them. These blocks encourage creativity and help children with their fine motor skills, too.

Brain Flakes

Offering 500 brain flakes (yes, 500!), this unique set features flakes that look a bit like gears that can connect together to create anything a child imagines. The flakes are BPA free, and the building set will help children work on fine motor skills.

Elementary Children (ages 6 and up)

Children in elementary school will explore different subjects and learn so many new lessons throughout their educational journey. As they grow, their curiosity will grow, too. Tech devices and other immersive educational toys may grab their attention and keep them engrossed in fun…and learning.

Kano PC

This is a great gift for older elementary children, but at $249 it’s a bit pricey if parents are on a budget. Engadget recommended the Kano, and the tablet is unique in that it’s actually a PC. Kids use a magnifying glass to examine different parts, and they can learn coding and other skills via the Kano, too. It’s a toy, it’s technology, but it’s also a bit of a project. This is ideal for the tech-centric kid.

Learning Resources

Learning Resources isn’t a toy, it’s an online hub for learning toys. The site is great for parents that need to find the perfect educational gift for their child. Learning Resources offers a tool called the Gift Whiz that lets parents select an age range for their child, their child’s gender (this is optional) and an interest type that best describes their child. Parents can choose from:

Future Scientist
Budding Engineer
Curious Coder
Spelling Bee Champ
Promising Math Whiz
Up-and- Coming Chef
Adventurous Explorer
All-Around Awesome Kid
Master of Make-Believe
Ambitious Animal Lover

Once a parent makes their selection, they will see a list of toys that are best-suited for their child, their age and their interests. For example, when the Ambitious Animal Lover is selected for ages 8+ one option includes a Giant Magnetic Frog Life Cycle set.

Parents may be given items that offer a wide age range, but the Gift Whiz tool can be helpful to narrow down options.

Books: A Gift for All Ages

When parents are in need of an extra item for children during the holidays or even for a birthday, one of the best educational toys is immersive, thought-provoking and always an adventure. A book might not be a traditional toy, but books can transport children to other worlds and introduce them to many new characters and ideas.

Parents don’t have to just give traditional books. They can gift ebooks and download them on an e-reader. Some children prefer reading on a tablet. Even better? Gift a tablet and fill the e-reader on the tablet with a library of books!

For children who struggle with reading, parents also could gift a subscription to a reading program. If parents are unsure if children would benefit from a reading app, they also could just sign them up for a free trial. Readability offers a free seven day trial period that lets children—and parents—explore the program and use Readability’s built-in AI reading tutor.

Interested in signing up for Readability or starting a free trial? Sign up today! Parents can start their free trial and download the app onto a tablet that might be wrapped up for the holidays or for a child’s birthday. Readability and technology make the perfect educational gift pairing!

The Best Educational Apps for Math, History, Science and Reading

December 21, 2021

Technology is part of the daily routine for children. The wired world interweaves in the classroom and at home. Laptops are used in school for many assignments, and smartphones are both communication hubs and a means of entertainment.

Unfortunately, the prevalence of digital devices leaves kids staring at screens constantly. While parents may try to control and manage the screen time, smartphones, laptops and tablets don’t have to be a source of tech frustration. Parents can use these tools as another access point for education enrichment. Some of the best educational apps for science, reading, history, and math are even free!

The Screen Time Debate

The issue of screen time and how long children should be staring at screens is often a concern for parents. For preschoolers (ages 2 to 5), the recommendation is that those little eyes shouldn’t be peering at a glowing screen for longer than an hour a day.

For older children, though, the recommendations are less straightforward. Setting limits for older children may be difficult, because technology is now linked to the classroom. Many school districts provide students with their own Chromebook or laptop, and all assignments are completed electronically.

Textbooks might even be a trend of the past. The traditional bound textbook might be digital, too. Children may be focused on screens for the majority of their school day.

Today’s teens are now equipped with smartphones, too. When a teen is proclaiming that all their friends have a smartphone, they probably aren’t exaggerating. Pew Research reported that 95 percent of teens have one of these devices.

Not only do teens and children use computers all day, but they also connect with their friends via little portable smartphone screens. These same devices also hold games, social media apps and even streaming services. Smartphones are the everything device.

For older children, though, these devices should not interfere with healthy activities. This is where experts draw the digital line. Smartphones and tablets shouldn’t come to the dinner table, they shouldn’t keep kids from getting enough sleep or keep children from being active, and they shouldn’t take the place of face-to-face connections and family time.

Using Apps for Enrichment

Parents may draw their own digital lines on how often kids can connect via their devices when the school day ends. For children who favor digital learning platforms and who learn better via virtual instruction, the phone or tablet can be used as an educational tool.

Lines and limitations will still need to be established, but parents can use educational apps to help their children with core subjects in school and for lesson enrichment. There are many apps that are available for free, although parents may need to be mindful of those that offer in-app purchases.

Math

Children may be learning to add simple problems or they may need to memorize their multiplication facts. Math apps can help children practice those math skills while having fun!

Big Math Flash Cards

This app includes flashcards for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Let children practice their multiplication facts anywhere. The app also can help children work on mental math.

Math Brain Booster Games

This app can be used for adults or children. Math Brain Booster Games includes different math games that help with mental math calculation. Players may have a problem like: 15 x __ = 45. Games can be difficult, but the trick is to get better and faster at solving problems mentally.

Coolmath Games

Many schools let students play Coolmath in class. The app includes many different games that children can play to work on different math skills.

Block! Triangle Puzzle

This game offers many different shape puzzles—also known as tangrams. There are different levels of difficulty, and the hardest levels require players to form a shape with lots of smaller pieces. This is a great game to help children practice problem solving and understand spatial relationships.

History

Children can test their knowledge of history facts or study for their U.S. map geography quiz with these history apps!

World History Quiz Trivia Game

This app is for ages 12 and up, but children who like history could play as well. Correct answers lead to more info about the facts related to the question.

United States & America Quiz

Perfect for ages four and up, the quiz tests knowledge about the U.S.

United States Quiz

Learn the states that make up the U.S. This app lets kids practice their understanding of the geographic location of each state. The app is perfect for prepping for geography quizzes. Players can choose games to test the knowledge of the states, capitals and even the flags for each state.

State the States and Capitals

This app lets children practice both the states and the capitals. This app is a great resource for geography review.

Science

Whether children are studying chemical reactions or they just want to learn more about the world outside, there are science apps to help them explore, understand and experiment.

Science Lab!

This app is a lab simulation game. Conduct virtual experiments and learn different elements.

Seek

Using a smartphone or tablet camera, children can capture an image of a plant, bug or other living thing in their environment. Seek will identify the species. The app also includes different challenges.

SkyView Lite

Use the phone’s camera to view data about the sky up above, including constellations and planets. SkyView lets the night sky project anywhere, though. Use the app anywhere to view the sky as it appears outside. The app will project the stars in any space. However, children may have the most fun using the app outside to explore the real night sky.

Reading

Children can use apps to practice reading anywhere. Some apps are games but others feature immersive lessons to guide children on their reading journey.

Sight Words Learning Games & Flash Cards Lite

Help children practice their list of sight words with Sight Words Reading. The app includes different games and activities to help children explore, understand and master those words. The app is ideal for children ages 3 to 7.

ABC Kids – Tracing & Phonics

With this app, children learn to trace letters to prepare them for writing and to help them learn to identify each letter. There’s even a matching game to help children understand upper and lowercase letters.

Readability

For children who struggle with reading and who need a lesson-based approach to reading, Readability provides leveled instruction with a built-in AI tutor. Children read stories aloud, and the tutor helps to guide them if they have trouble sounding out a word or if they simply stumble. The tutor is programmed with voice-recognition software, and it learns to identify each child’s unique voice.

At the end of each story, the tutor also asks questions to test a child’s understanding. When children demonstrate proficiency in both reading fluency and comprehension, they advance to a more difficult reading level. Parents can follow their child’s progress via the Parent Dashboard, which shows all the reading data for each child.

Readability does require a monthly subscription. However, parents can find out if the program is right for their child by signing up for a free trial period. Readability offers a free-seven day trial that allows children to explore all the features of the program and use the reading tutor.

Using Learning Apps after School

Parents who are concerned about their children spending too much time staring at screens may prefer to limit screen time after school. Parents can set limits on the phone using parental control options to automatically lock down certain features and apps when screen time ends.

If parents are fine with children using learning apps after school, though, they may extend these app privileges. Parents also may only allow children to download games that are educationally beneficial.

There are many free apps that parents can use to help children explore different subjects. Some of these apps can even be used to help children prepare for quizzes or tests. Parents can explore other enrichment apps and games by visiting the App Store or Google Play.

Tips For Helping Children Manage Fear And Anxiety

December 17, 2021

Many children suffer from anxiety and fears. Some children feel anxious when they need to answer a question in class. Others have social anxiety. And children also could struggle with different types of fears, too. Fear of heights, fear of the dark or even separation anxiety or fears can cause children to not want to leave their parents.

It can be hard for parents to know how to handle a fearful or anxious child. Will a child outgrow these fears? Should parents be concerned? Parents can use these tips for helping children manage anxiety and fear.

Managing Anxiety: Advice from a PhD

One of the best resources for parents who want to help their child manage anxiety is from Clark Goldstein, PhD. His article is posted at Child Mind Institute’s site. Goldstein offers 10 basic tips for parents when working with an anxious child. Here’s what he recommends:

Don’t Expect to Cure the Anxiety

Parents have a belief that they can, perhaps, just ‘poof’ away their child’s anxiety magically. Or cure it. Goldsteins’s first tip to parents is that they need to understand that the goal is all about helping children work through their anxiety.

Parents Also Shouldn’t Keep Children Away from the Fear or Anxiety Trigger

As parents, one of the easiest things to do to help a child is to protect them from it. But Goldstein explains this isn’t the best solution, because it will just cause the anxiety to continue. Nothing is really solved, and Goldstein writes that children will see avoidance as the way to deal with—or cope—with a stressor.

Parents can take this one step further and think about a child who is fearful of storms. As parents, we cannot stop storms. We might be able to turn on music to drown out thunder, but parents can’t stop thunder or even storms. Children have to learn how to cope with their fear or anxiety of this situation.

Don’t Be Unrealistic but Try to Stay Upbeat

Goldstein talks about how parents can’t really make promises that everything is going to be great in relation to a stressful situation but that children can learn to handle it positively.

For example, Goldstein writes that parents shouldn’t tell a child that they’ll definitely love an activity—maybe they will hate it–and parents also can’t guarantee that the child won’t be heckled during show-and-tell. Yet in both situations, parents can help empower a child on how to handle the outcome.

Be Empathetic to Worries and Concerns without giving them Power

Talk to children about their fears and be supportive. Children can be afraid of the dentist or the doctor; both of these situations are unavoidable. And Goldstein uses the doctor example when writing about listening to children about their worries. He advises parents to support their child and reinforce that parents will help or be there.

To expand on this, parents can think about what would happen if they give the concern power. Would a parent really want to say “Yes, that shot is going to hurt soooo bad.” No! That would only amplify the child’s terror.

The child will still have to get the shot. Instead, parents can say that they understand the fear and they’ll hold their child’s hand during the appointment.

Stay Away from Leading Questions

Goldstein advises: “Don’t ask leading questions.” But why? And what are the leading questions? These types of questions are those that will put a belief in a child’s head. Goldstein uses the example of asking a child if they’re worried about a test. They might have been concerned about something else entirely, but now parents have put another fear into their mind.

Instead, parents can ask questions that encourage them to talk about what’s on their mind, and Goldstein advises that parents ask open-ended questions.

Don’t Flame the Fear

Parents shouldn’t flame the fear. They shouldn’t give the child’s fear power. Goldstein explains that parents can give children the wrong message with body language or words.

Parents could react to the expectation of their child reacting. So if a parent knows the child is afraid of the dentist, they may start to act nervous before taking their child to the dentist…anticipating their child’s future fearful reaction. But a parent’s reaction may just spark a child’s reaction.

Encourage Anxiety Tolerance

Goldstein advises that parents “Encourage the child to tolerate her anxiety.” The more a child is exposed to what makes them anxious, the less it will tend to induce serious anxiety. Essentially, a child slowly desensitizes to it. But Goldstein explains that the anxiety may never fully zero out.

Don’t Build Up the event

Goldstein tells parents to “Try to keep the anticipatory period short.” Don’t build it up. Hours before the dentist, don’t start talking about the dentist.

Explore the Situation with Children

Or, as Goldstein advises: “Think things through with the child.” This involves talking about the worst that can happen. The biggest fear is probably the worst case scenario, so talk it over with children calmly. Help them understand how they would handle that scenario…prepare them for it.

Model Healthy Behaviors

In so many situations, experts advise parents to be the model. This is true for anxiety and fear, too. If parents are stressing out and freaking out, children will learn from this. How do parents handle their anxiety? Is it healthy? Be the role model.

Other Advice and Tips

Some children may deal with fears and anxiety that doesn’t abate even when parents try all the expert tips and guidance. Some children may have panic attacks or serious phobias. If parents are concerned about fear and anxiety, they should call their child’s pediatrician.

A child’s doctor can provide referrals or other help for children who struggle with anxiety, social phobias or other crippling fears. Parents understand their child best, and if that pit in the stomach tells a parent something is wrong…listen to it and call the doctor.

Sometimes parents don’t know when to worry…and what is considered ‘normal’ related to childhood fears. Aetna provides a checklist of normal phobias or worries and when parents should reach out to a doctor about anxiety.

School Anxiety

For some children, anxiety is related to schoolwork. Children who struggle to read may deal with anxiety about their reading and may want to avoid reading aloud at school. While the above tips may help, parents who suspect reading concerns can call their child’s pediatrician (who may make other referrals) and, of course, the child’s teacher for additional resources.

Some children might not have major anxiety but may simply lack reading confidence. Parents can read with children to help them practice and to help them build confidence. Encourage children to read aloud. Parents and children also could alternate each reading a page.

A reading program like Readability could help children practice reading at home. Lessons via Readability are read aloud; the program includes a built-in AI tutor that provides help during lessons when a child struggles with a word.

Children advance to a more difficult reading level when they demonstrate proficiency with both reading fluency and reading comprehension. Every child will advance at their own rate, but parents can gain an understanding of their child’s progress by viewing their reading data via the Parent Dashboard.

There are many reading programs that parents can use to help their child at home. Sometimes the best way to find the best program for a child is to see if they like it. Parents can sign up for a free seven-day trial to let their child explore the program and use the reading tutor.

Here are the Best Apps to Improve Reading!

December 14, 2021

Children of all ages can always read more to improve their reading confidence and fluency. There are many children who have an appetite for reading, and fly through books quickly. Others may like what they read but tend to take their time reading a book. Some children just haven’t found their reading passion. Maybe reading is a struggle, or perhaps reading just feels like homework.

Technology could be used to support literacy skills, and while screens might seem like entertainment they also can be great educational tools. There are many apps to improve reading that parents can use at home; these apps can include games but also programs that support and guide reading.

Here are the best apps to improve reading and to encourage children to read more!

E-Readers

One of the easiest apps to use on a phone or tablet to encourage reading is an e-reader app. These apps are almost always pre-installed on a device; Apple has an e-reader, and Android devices likely have their own reader, too.

Parents also could prefer a different e-reader that’s linked to a specific company like Barnes and Noble. There are handheld devices that look like tablets but are specifically designed as e-readers. Barnes and Noble offers the Nook, and there are several different styles.

These devices—or a tablet with an e-reader app—allow users to download virtual books that can be read on the screen. But these books often don’t require scrolling text like a standard web page. Instead, readers can flip the virtual pages using their fingertips.

There are many, many different books that parents can download via e-reader apps or devices. Some books may be free, others may be offered at various price points.

Like standard bound books, virtual books for children also offer colorful illustrations and maybe even interactive features, too. E-books are designed to mirror the physical reading experience, and this means the book itself (illustrations included) likely won’t change.

While e-readers aren’t for every child, some simply learn better via technology. Children who are tech-centric may be more drawn to a virtual style book versus the bound hardcopy.

Parents can try out e-reader apps and devices to find out if they work for their child. Some children may not love staring at the screen; it’s all a matter of preference.

However, those who embrace e-readers can gain reading confidence and perhaps even strengthen their reading skills by using these devices because, like books, children are reading and immersing themselves into a story. It’s not how a child reads, but how much they read that could be the benefit.

If a non reader suddenly becomes a reader with e-books, then this is a benefit for parents!

Reading Apps that are Games

The educational game can be a bit of a conundrum for parents. Are games really helpful? Even if they are marketed as educational?

Each game app is different and the pros and cons need to be weighed by parents. Before downloading a game—free or not—parents might want to read the reviews and check the format to see how exactly the game is designed to help a child read.

Some common reading games that could be a benefit include those that help children identify and learn common sight words or their letters. Games could encourage children to trace letters or identify them and their sounds in some way.

Again, though, games are unique in format. Sites like PBS Kids may have a variety of great educational games; however, PBS is known for educational programming. Parents should research the options before handing over the device with a game that they think is going to be beneficial.

Audio Book Apps

Should children just listen to a book? Audio books are books that are narrated or read aloud. This is a bit like a parent reading a book to a child.

Audio books can be used as a tool to help children understand emotion during a story or other feelings. One way parents can utilize these books is to let children listen to a story as they follow along in the book. Again, this is a way for children who may struggle with comprehension to gather more info about emotions and perhaps characters, too.

Understood delved into how audio books can help children; these books won’t impair learning, and may help children who struggle with reading. The site explains: “It’s actually a good thing for kids to read with their eyes and their ears at the same time. This makes reading “multisensory.” And that can help kids get better at sounding out words (decoding ) and reading comprehension.”

Parents can download audio book apps like Audible to access a library of auditory books. Use these along with standard bound books to help children sharpen their reading skills.

Reading Program Apps

For children who struggle to read at grade level and who need extra help and reading intervention, parents may use reading apps at home that are immersive and lesson-based reading programs.

There are a number of reading apps available. Some may focus on a specific literacy need (like comprehension), but others—including Readability—are multimodal and guide all aspects of reading.

Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that helps direct reading lessons and provides guidance when a child needs it. The AI tutor is programmed with voice recognition software, and, once it learns a child’s voice, it can detect pronunciation errors or notice when a child struggles or is stumbling.

Once the tutor detects a child’s frustration or notices a mispronunciation, it will provide help and guidance. The tutor also will ask questions at the end of each story to determine if the child has comprehended what they read.

Readability also is fully immersive in design. Children are encouraged to explore stories as they read. They can click on words to learn the definition, and, in this way, Readability helps children grow their vocabulary and expand their knowledge and individual word bank.

Children who have difficulties with reading may be overwhelmed if stories are too text-heavy. Readability keeps paragraphs manageable and includes colorful illustrations so children don’t face big blocks of text.

Stories also are leveled for each child. Parents can set their child’s reading level when they begin to use Readability; parents who are unsure where their child should begin also can let the program determine the reading level.

Children advance to more difficult levels as they demonstrate proficiency. How is proficiency determined? The AI tutor measures reading fluency in words per minute. And comprehension understanding is measured by quizzes given by the tutor at the end of each story.

Some children may need to stay on a level for more time than previous levels. Every child will advance at their own pace. And reading will get more difficult with every advanced level.

Parents will want to understand how their child is progressing via any reading program. Readability provides parents with their own portal that displays all the reading data for their child. The Parent Dashboard will include reading fluency, the child’s current reading level and how long they used Readability.

All reading data also can be compiled into a reading report that can be shared and emailed to a child’s teacher. This helps parents to better communicate reading progress to the school.

Many reading programs require a subscription. Readability bills its subscriptions monthly. However, one subscription (billed at $19.99) can be used for up to three children. For parents who need to help more than one child with reading, this ensures that they don’t have to pay for multiple subscriptions.

Parents may want to review a program before committing to a subscription. Readability offers a free seven-day trial period that provides full access to the program and enables children to get acquainted with the AI tutor.

If parents feel that the program is a good fit, they can continue on with a subscription. Ready to try out Readability and use the program’s reading tutor? Start a free trial today!