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As you reflect on the holiday season, what images, sentiments, or traditions come to mind first? Maybe it’s religious services. Or family meals and tasty sweets. Perhaps it’s traveling near and far to see loved ones. Hosting large celebrations or enjoying more intimate affairs. Exchanging store-bought or homemade gifts, or maybe you forgo gift-giving altogether? Whatever your holiday rituals and customs involve, is there room to explore a new tradition? This year, I encourage everyone to …

What is literacy? The National Literacy Trust defines literacy as “the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world.” Until I joined the team at Boys Town Press, I didn’t think much about literacy or the nuances around how a child becomes interested in reading. But looking back, I have several core childhood memories that I now see as paramount to my own love of reading and learning. Most of these memories c …

When it comes to children and their entertainment preferences, books are like cilantro. Some children fully take to reading and embrace every opportunity to sprinkle it into their day. Some children balk at the notion of reading for fun. While reading for pleasure may feel like a polarizing concept, the fact that reading is fundamental for whole-child success, is not. Establishing a love of reading in children will set them up for multi-level success. Amongst other invaluable essentials, …

MinecraftAnimal CrossingAmong UsAside from being amusing adventures in gaming, can you guess what all of these have in common?Actually, let me make that question a little harder! Can you guess what all of these have in common with…The last show you watched.The last interesting thing you’ve heard.The earliest experience that you can remember in your life.All of these things involve stories! Think about it…Stories are all around us. In games, you follow characters and build stories as you go …

When our son was toddler we owned a set of Sesame Street board books. Each one featured a letter of the alphabet, with several verses of a catchy poem highlighting words that began with the featured letter. They were quick, fun reads, and he wanted to read them together. ALL. THE. TIME.What we weren’t consciously aware of at the time, was just how much he was comprehending from the stories. That is until we were hanging out with some friends who had two children a bit older than our then-18 …

We’ve all been there. It’s summer vacation and just as you’re ready to start relaxing and enjoying the dreaded summer homework emerges. While summer is a time for fun, sun and family it’s also a time when many skills that kids have worked so hard on over the school year can see a dip.Social skills are just as at risk as academics. Without practice they can slip back to old patterns and habits. But is the battle to get them to do work really worth it?The answer is yes and the good news is …

As spring approaches and images of warm breezes, budding trees, and outdoor social activities beckon, the allure of isolated and reclusive hobbies wane. This is especially true for students who spend more than 1,200 hours between August and May focused on learning, and their mentors who spend considerably more time preparing for, planning, and facilitating the learning process. For these individuals, the end of the school year marks the beginning of an 8-10 week “brain break” from all th …

Books are a gift. Opening a new book and allowing yourself to be absorbed into its pages can take you to worlds you never imagined. Different places and times. Magical, far-off destinations. Treasure hunts. Ship wrecks. Tales of friendship and love. New customs, cultures, and civilizations. A view into language, dress, and social mores of the past. Books have always been a part of my life. As a young girl, I loved mysteries. I remember asking for and receiving so many of the old Nan …

School’s out?! Let the fun begin! At our house, school breaks mean lots of fun activities – but also a little continuing education. Learning does not stop when the bell rings for winter break. Along with their other responsibilities at home, our kids are expected to read for an hour each day. Our kids are avid readers, so an hour is fitting for them. But one hour can be a long time for some kids. In that case, a good place to start is 10 minutes per grade (1st graders read for 10 min …

Parents and educators have all heard it before… A child isn’t happy about what they are being instructed to do, or is struggling with a specific skill or concept, and they come back with, “Who cares? It’s not like I’ll ever have to do this once I get out of school!” Sometimes it can be tough to think of on-the-spot examples of how and when a child will need that particular skill. But, fortunately, coming up with examples of when and why someone needs to be able to read is easier. Stud …