Archive for the ‘Parents’ Category

Macaroni & Cheese Chef, Boo-Boo Kisser, Monster Scarer, and Reading Teacher

Posted by allyson on March 27th, 2012

… are just some of the many roles parents play.

I remember when I first learned to read. I remember when the words to my very favorite children’s book, Clotilda,  started to becomes clearer and sounding them out started to become easier.

I think about my childhood often as my oldest daughter, who at three-and-a-half, is starting to remind me of myself at that age. She has learned to write the letters in her name and while she struggles with the ‘Y’ every time, when she finally does get it, the proud look on her face warms my heart. Her interest in books is getting more and more profound. She asks me every day if today is “library day” and points out the Library when we drive through town.

(c) Cass Just Curious Photography

Where do parents begin to teach their kids to read? I think it starts with building a love for books and stories. Town libraries offer free, weekly story-times, some for babies as young as 6-months. We’ve read books before bed nearly every single night since my kids were infants (I’m a bit of a stickler for a routine). If there was ever a night that they didn’t want to read a book (rare!), my oldest would ask us to tell her a story. If we started with anything other than, ‘Once upon a time’ and ended with anything other than ‘Happily Ever After’, we were instantly corrected.


Where does new technology come in? An app is a great way to learn to read. And it’s a guilt-free excuse to let the kids use the iPad! When learning to read books, kids are dependent upon their index finger pointing to words and saying them aloud simultaneously. In most apps, this is done automatically with words highlighting or being underlined while spoken by a narrator. There are also options to turn the narration off so that your child can read alone. Other ways to introduce a love for words and letters is stenciling. Tracing is not only important for recognition, but also for muscle-memory and small-motor control.

Using the iPad as a learning tool not only allows parents to continue the use of a device that has gained popularity with their kids, but it also helps children gain necessary life skills. Reading along with the ponies from My Little Pony or the trucks like Chuck from Chuck & Friends, and reading classic books like Velveteen Rabbit and Thumbelina – these are brands that win with kids and story lines that contain popular, important messages.

Apps today make it easy to build a love of words and stories with your kids. To visit the full library of Ruckus Media Apps, please click here.

Help Us Spread the the Literacy Love

Posted by ruckusholly on March 15th, 2012

Children Discovering ReadingDo you know any elementary, preschool or reading teachers? Or moms with great practical ideas for helping kids love to read? Or do you, yourself, have awesome tips to share – certain times of the day when you get your kids reading or strategies to inspire their love of reading?  We want to feature your tips with our fans!

We’re sure that  you (or people you know) have some tricks up your sleeve to help kids and families fall in love with reading — or practice reading basics without making it feel like work (or homework!).  Tips can be for emerging, beginning or independent readers — or feel free to send suggestions for all three!  They should be short and sweet (100-300) words and the more practical, the better.

Here are a few examples of the kinds of tips we’re looking for:

Introduce children to reading by showing them words that are important to them, such as their names. Encourage them to find the letters in their names whenever they encounter print—on a sign, in a book, and so on. After your kids are familiar with their own names, introduce the names of other members of your family.

Encourage tactile learners by having children practice writing letters in shaving cream on the table. Or try writing in sand, rice, or pasta. Get creative! What do you have around the house that your child could write in?

Help your child practice rhyming by inviting them to make up new verses to nursery rhymes or their favorite songs.  This could also help kids learn to match syllables to fit within the rhythm of a well-known song.

Even if your child cannot yet read, encourage them to become an active participant in the reading process by looking at the pictures and telling the story based upon what they see.  While your child is telling the story, ask questions to gauge understanding of key details in the story.

Email your creative reading tip and photograph to TeacherTips@RuckusMediaGroup.com or ParentTips@RuckusMediaGroup.com (whichever is applicable), if selected, we will credit the submission with your name and image, and post a link directly to your site or school if you’d like. Plus, you’ll also be eligible to receive a $10 iTunes gift card to select your choice of stories from the Ruckus library.  All the rules are featured here.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to get exposure, an iTunes gift card and to share your love of reading with us and our community.

Calling All Parents, Teachers, Librarians and more: Reading Tips Wanted

Posted by ruckusholly on February 27th, 2012

Teacher and Parent TipsCalling all parents, childcare providers, teachers, reading specialists and literacy professionals including librarians!

We at Ruckus Media Group, creator of award-winning interactive storybooks for children, are looking for reading tips to stimulate children’s love of reading, both inside and outside the classroom. Who better to write those tips than you, the expert? We know that you work with children day in and day out to find that “just-right” way for each child to develop a love of reading, whether they are your own children or your students.

Please email your creative reading tip and photograph to TeacherTips@RuckusMediaGroup.com (if you are a specialist) or ParentTips@RuckusMediaGroup.com (if you are a parent). If your tip is chosen, we’ll credit the submission with your name and image, and post a link directly to your site or school. And, you’ll also be eligible to receive a $10 iTunes gift card to select your choice of stories from our library.

Here are the rules, terms and conditions (make sure you read the fine print before entering):

  • You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
  • Photos (high-resolution jpegs at a maximum size of 100 KB) must accompany all submissions, and should include your name, title, school (if applicable), city and state. If you would like us to link to your blog or website, please send us your URL.
  • Reading tip minimum word count: 25 words.
  • Only authors of tips selected by Ruckus Media Group will receive a $10 iTunes card.
  • All submitted reading tips will be reviewed by an education adviser appointed by Ruckus Media Group.
  • If selected, you must fill out a consent form (to be provided by Ruckus Media Group) certifying that you are the individual in the photos, that you are the individual identified by the submitted name and contact information, that all submitted information is true and accurate and that you own the copyright interest in all submitted materials and have the right to consent to Ruckus Media’s Group’s use of such materials.  You also agree to indemnify RMG against any and all liability to third-parties arising from RMG’s use of your submission as described below.
  • You grant Ruckus Media Group permission to use the submitted: tip, photo, name, school name and location information for any and all promotional purposes related to Ruckus Media Group.
  • Ruckus Media Group reserves the right to end this campaign at any time and to refuse acceptance of further submissions without notice.

 

We can’t wait to work together to continue our mission to create experiences through mobile devices that educate children and stimulate literacy.

Start sending your tips (you can send as many as you like) today and let’s motivate the world to read!