Donna Sullivan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at The Carroll School, suggests that you:

• Use visuals to help children focus when listening
• Talk with children and play with language
• Respect children as individuals
• Recognize children's interests and strengths
• Play with the sounds of words
• Offer children opportunities to succeed

Teacher Ronnie Cristiano recommends that you:

• Try hands-on activities together
• Demonstrate and describe your expectations
• Have children put their thoughts into words
• Repeat new vocabulary in many different contexts
• Look for math concepts as you read aloud
• Wonder out loud with your children
• Talk the talk – use new vocabulary at home
• Integrate math into everyday life
• Involve kids' creativity

Mom Laura Waldron suggests that you:

• Practice writing letters and words in the sand
• Play with magnetic words
• Continue to read aloud with older children
• Share opinions when you read aloud

Like Diane Francis, the Visual Arts Teacher:

• Remember that non-academic classes can let children shine
• Experiment with a variety of materials and projects
• Provide direction and give children time to catch on
• Let children find their way to their own conclusions
• Look for children's books that explore different artists
• Consider presenting words with visuals
• Promote the use of new vocabulary

Laurie Joy Haas, Executive Producer of Words that Cook!™ and co-author of Read it Aloud! A parent's guide to sharing books with young children, and Chip the Cookie-Bookie Bear suggest you:

• Create games that use language in a fun way
• Encourage children to play with rhyming words

Like Bounders Teacher Raelyn Viti and Bounders Director Brian Kelly:

• Plan activities that spring from books
• Let children make decisions
• Gently guide children with questions
• Find programs that will challenge your children
• Remember that practice in problem solving leads to academic success

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