TemporaryWaffle: children

Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Did you know that January 25 is Multicultural Children's Book Day? There are so many amazing books out there that help us understand each others cultures and heritage better, but they are not widely shared. Multicultural Children's Book Day is a time set aside to focus on sharing, so you can learn about the vast variety that is out there! I received a few books to review and share with you... Check them out below!

“Beautiful Rainbow World” by Suzee Ramirez and Lynne Raspet. This book is filled with beautiful images of children around the world, reminding us of the beauty that we are all together.It is made to be a sing along or a read, and children of all ages can enjoy it.

“Together Til’ The End - Ife’s Incredible Friends” by Dr. Tee Tee and illustrated by Rolando DeCastro III. I love the story to this, and the way it introduces different cultures and shares differences people face. It’s such a good book for little ones and would be perfect to add to a homeschooling collection. There’s so much teaching and the illustrations are adorable!

“Belinda Lifts Her Voice” by Luisa Orellana-Castillo, Brizel Martinez Cruz, and Camila Melany De la Luz Villegas with illustrations by Romeo Montero. This is a book about a little girls strength to keep pushing for what is right. The pages are written bilingual in English and Spanish, and would be great for a language class!

"Food For The Future - Sustainable Farms Around the World" by Mia Wenjen and illustrations by Robert Sae-Heng, This beautiful book is about discovering several different ways that people around the world care for our planet and grow us the food we eat. I love that this book has definitions on every page, and details in the back of the book, to bring more information on farms and locations.

Every single on of these books I received for review were all excellent reads. They work so well at explaining different scenarios to children, and would be fantastic for using in your homeschool or school classrooms, or even just reading with your children at home.

I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

How To Help Your Child Prepare For The School Year Over Summer Break

Photo by Pixabay

   Preparing your child for the upcoming school year is crucial, but it can be difficult to help them find focus and motivation during the summer months. When a student is struggling with their classes, however, summer break is a great time to help them find a more relaxed approach to their learning. Many parents have found that introducing something fun into the mix is helpful, and there are various ways to go about it, such as cooking, getting out into nature, and taking field trips.

   Of course, it’s also essential to figure out where your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses are so that you can tailor a lesson plan to their needs. Every individual is different when it comes to how well they retain certain information and how they process it, so what works for one child may not work for another. Finding your child’s specific learning needs will help to reduce frustration on both your part and theirs.

Here are a few things to consider this summer before school starts:

Consider an Assessment

   A Functional Behavior Assessment is a tool that helps parents and educators isolate issues with learning in a student, so they can figure out the best way to help that student learn and retain the information. It’s a beneficial process for students who exhibit behavior that inhibits their ability to focus, and requires some observation of the student in a learning setting to see where the problem areas occur. It can also be extremely useful in helping to diagnose a learning disability.

Make it Fun

   There are many ways you can help your child find the fun in learning, no matter their age. Cooking is an easy way to help with math concepts for younger children, and it also aids in teaching responsibility and following directions. Look online to find out what kind of learning tools are near you, such as a children’s museum or a nature preserve, that can help your child find an interest in biology, and take a field trip. Introducing concepts that your child is interested in will allow them to make connections that will help them focus once school is back in session.

Schedule It

   One of the most difficult things about summer for many young people is that there is little structure to their days. Even older kids need a routine to help them focus, so help your child stay on track by guiding them during the summer days. Set up a reading goal and set aside a specific time each day to work on it, or structure the day so that they can work on the concept that gave them the most trouble during the school year in short bursts. Limiting summer learning to an hour at a time can help keep concentration in place.

Prep for the Upcoming Schedule Change

   Getting ready for the new school year takes a little preparation, so it’s a good idea to start a few weeks before summer ends. Talk to your child about their new schedule--especially if they are transitioning to a new school--and help them get used to going to bed a little earlier each night so they’ll be able to handle it when the time comes. Having a sleep routine will be immensely helpful when it’s time to get up early everyday.

Create a Study Space

   Does your child have his or her own work area? Just like adults who work from home need quiet and space to accomplish their work, kids need a place where they can focus on learning, apart from other household activities. Home office spaces are desirable these days, so not only is this an opportunity to help your child learn, done correctly, you reap the bonus benefits of improving your home’s value. If your child doesn’t currently have a study area complete with a desk, appropriate electronics, good lighting and a comfortable seat, it’s time to set one up.

   Helping your child prepare for the new school year over summer break takes a little patience, but with a little planning you can keep problems to a minimum. If possible, talk to your child’s educator about the best ways to approach the issues they faced during the school year. This will give you a good idea of where to begin.