Riding the Rails in Ohio!

The Diamondback at King's Island ends with a
spectacular splashdown.

Roller coaster and theme park enthusiasts are lucky to live in Ohio which ranks third in the country for theme park visits. Ohio boasts two of the top 15 amusement parks in the country, Cedar Point and King’s Island. Each park drew over 3.2 million visitors in 2012, and major roller coasters are part of their appeal. If you’ve been considering a trip to these two roller coaster hotspots, here are a few highlights to entice you.

Cedar Point. Cedar Point holds the title of, “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” and with 16 coasters, it’s an appropriate designation. Cedar Point bills its newest coaster, the Gatekeeper, as the world’s longest, fastest, and tallest winged coaster. Reaching speeds of 67 mph, this monster greets visitors at the front gate with a 164-foot drop and two keyhole passes.

After riding the Gatekeeper, consider the Millennium Force. An elevator cable system pulls riders up 310 feet and then drops them at speeds of up to 92 mph. Not to be outdone is the Top Thrill Dragster. It launches riders from zero to 120 mph in a mere three seconds and then shoots them up a 420-foot vertical tower. Rounding out this trifecta of bad boys is one of the earliest mega coasters, the Magnum XL-200, which still thrills with a first hill of over 200 feet and reaching speeds of 72 mph.

Fans of wooden roller coasters will find plenty to keep them occupied at Cedar Point. The Gemini, a wooden racing coaster, reaches speeds of 60 mph. Also watch out for the Mean Streak. With 1.7 million feet of pine to provide the structure, the Mean Streak takes riders on a rip-roarin’ trip at 65 mph. Don’t forget an old favorite, the Blue Streak. This classic from 1964 still offers riders plenty of air time, bumps and jostles.

Are you brave enough to ride these coaster giants in Ohio?

A trip to Cedar Point wouldn’t be complete without a ride on the Raptor, a suspended coaster that’s situated on the midway. Its riders’ feet hang free as they endure six inversions at 57 mph. From there move to the Mantis, one of the world’s great standing coasters. Riders stand for a 145-foot climb that dives into a 119-foot loop while traveling at 60 mph.

If roller coasters don’t appeal to you, there’s still plenty to enjoy at Cedar Point. 72 rides dot the property, from wild to mild. The park also boasts live entertainment, midway games, a kids’ area, a water park, a campground, several resort hotels, and a beach. Find out everything you need to know for your trip at www.cedarpoint.com .

King’s Island. King’s Island is the midwest’s largest amusement and water park, boasting 14 roller coasters and over 80 rides. Two headlining coasters, the Diamondback and the Beast, dominate the park’s major attractions. New in 2008, the Diamondback towers as the tallest and fastest coaster in the park, and it treats riders to a 215-foot drop and speeds of up to 80mph. It features six drops and concludes with a spectacular splashdown ending. The open stadium-style seats provide riders with superb views of the park as they ride.

Not to be overshadowed is the Beast. This classic wooden coaster still holds the world record as the longest wooden coaster with 7,400 feet of track and more than four minutes of ride time. With two lift hills and a 540-degree helix tunnel for the grand finale, the Beast is consistently voted as one of the world’s greatest coasters by coaster enthusiasts worldwide.

These two giants aren’t the only ones lurking at King’s Island. In addition to three kiddie coasters, wooden coaster fans will enjoy the Racer, a racing-style coaster that’s been at King’s Island since the beginning. After a turn on the Racer, head over to Invertigo, a steel coaster where riders face each other as they move through three inversions forward and again backward. Thrill seekers also won’t want to miss Firehawk where riders flip through five inversions all while facing the ground as if flying. The Flight of Fear coaster features a catapult launch taking riders from zero to 54 mph in just four seconds. Keeping riders in the dark is part of the fun since the entire ride is enclosed. The Vortex, another steel coaster favorite, flips riders upside down six times and was the first coaster in the world to do so.

Plenty of rides are available in both parks for
non-coaster riders.

Just as with Cedar Point, non-coaster riders will still have plenty to do at King’s Island. Live entertainment, midway games, a water park, and a wide variety of other rides will keep the entire family busy. The kids’ area at King’s Island has been voted as the world’s best by Amusement Today magazine 12 years in a row. Go to www.visitkingsisland.com for more information.

With all this excitement packed into two amusement parks, no wonder Ohio ranks third in the U.S.A for theme park visits. Take time this summer to ride a few of the rails in the Buckeye State and see for yourself why Ohio is a hot spot for amusement park fun.

Day Trippin' in West Central Ohio

Kids love to explore the subterranean world at Ohio Caverns.

5 Trips in the "Heart of it All!"

Take a fun day trip or a short stopover in west central Ohio and see some of what the Buckeye State has to offer.

Ohio Caverns. It’s an easy country drive to West Liberty, Ohio, where you can tour magnificent caverns, billed as the world’s most beautiful and Ohio’s largest caverns. Open year-round, the caverns maintain a comfortable 54-degree temperature no matter what the season. You’ll see some of the most colorful crystals in the world, including the Crystal King, a pure white formation that’s nearly 5 feet long. Visitors can take the Natural Wonder tour, a 50-minute walking tour that winds through a mile’s worth of subterranean splendor. The path is paved, although stairs and narrow passages are part of the tour, so it is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Other tours are also available, including one that does accommodate wheelchairs. All tours require an admission fee. Ohio Caverns also features 35 acres of grounds that include picnic pavilions, restrooms, a gift shop, and gem and fossil mining. Visit www.ohiocaverns.com for more information and to plan your visit.

Piatt Castles.  After you go to Ohio Caverns, make a short jaunt over to the Piatt Castles, also in West Liberty, Ohio. Built by the Piatt Family, the two castles, Mac-a-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee, showcase the history of the family and the splendor of the western Ohio countryside in which they reside. The castles are open daily during the summer, and summertime camps are available for kids.  Visitors may choose from a combo ticket for both castles or a single-castle ticket. Discounts are offered for kids, seniors, and AAA members. The first floors of each castle are wheelchair accessible. Visit the website at www.piattcastles.org for more information and to plan your visit.

Airstream Factory Tours. Ever wondered about those sleek silver bullet trailers seen in campgrounds and cruising along the interstate? Well, they’re made in Ohio! Each trailer is made by hand in accordance with the company’s belief of quality, innovation, and design. To watch this process in action, take a trip to Jackson Center for the Airstream Factory Tour. This free tour is given every Monday through Friday at 2:00 p.m. You’ll tour the production facility in an easy ¾ mile walk. Group tours for 10 or more people can be arranged in advance. Visit http://www.airstream.com/company/tours/ for more information.

Bicycle Museum of America. Do you have a bicycle buff in your family? If so, consider a trip to New Bremen, Ohio, and the Bicycle Museum of America. This museum features over 300 bikes on permanent display and another 1,000 bikes displayed on a rotating basis. The collection includes bikes from the 1800s through current times. An on-site theatre provides the history of bicycles, and a gift shop is also available. The museum’s interactive website is worth a visit for bicycle fans and students conducting research. The museum is open Monday through Saturday in the summer. A small admission fee is charged for entry with discounts for kids and seniors.  See more at www.bicyclemuseum.com .

At Ohio Caverns, see the Crystal King, a
5-foot formation. Amazing!

 

Armstrong Air and Space Museum. It’s an easy interstate drive to Wapakoneta, Ohio, where you can visit the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. Visitors will view exhibits related to Neil Armstrong and space travel, including an Apollo 11 moon rock, Neil Armstrong’s Gemini and Apollo spacesuits, and the Gemini VIII spacecraft. In addition to the memorabilia on display, visitors can try their hand at three different simulators where they can try to land the lunar module and space shuttle or dock the Gemini capsule. A 25-minute film showcases the Apollo 11’s lunar landing. Open daily during the summer, admission is charged for entry. Discounts are available for children, seniors, and active military personnel. Group visits may be arranged for 10 or more people. Find more information at www.armstrongmuseum.org .

A trip through Ohio can be a fun vacation with some easy research and a day’s worth of travel. After all, Ohio is the heart of it all!

Successful Strategies for Flying with Kids



Planning makes it easy to fly with little ones.

Over the years, my husband and I have flown with our young kids on family vacations. Successfully taking little ones into the skies requires some planning and organization. These handy tips will help you turn flying into a positive travel strategy for your family.

Practice Makes Perfect: No matter the ages of your kids, get them used to traveling and being “on the go.” Since most of us can’t take practice trips in a plane, make sure your little ones have lots of experience traveling in the car. Kids who travel well in the car will most likely do well on an airplane.

Make the Most of Your Stroller.  Managing babies and toddlers in the airport is much easier with a stroller, especially with some of the long distances that must be traveled between checking in, security, and your departure gate. An added bonus is that you can stow some of your carry-on baggage in the lower part of your stroller, depending on the design. Most airlines will allow you to take the stroller right up to the plane and then check it gateside. Check your specific airline’s policies before departing.

Take Your Car Seat With You. If you’re concerned about an appropriate car seat for your child once you arrive at your destination, know that most airlines allow you to check a car seat for free. Confirm this with your airline before departure, of course. Some car rental companies will rent car seats, but you never know what the quality of the seat will be. Taking your own along allows you to transport your child without cause for concern.

Use the Facilities Before Boarding. Get the kids ready for boarding with a timely visit to the restroom. Even if kids say they don’t need to go, make this part of the process non-negotiable. Follow the same process with baby’s diaper change. The time between boarding and take-off can be miserable for little ones who need a diaper change or have to use the restroom. Also, changing a diaper on an airplane is less than ideal, so try to be strategic with your timing.

Board Early.  If your airline allows pre-boarding for families with young children, take advantage of that option. Don’t feel guilty about getting on the plane before everyone else. The pre-board gives you time to get situated on the plane before a long line of passengers flood in.

Pack the Essential Gear: Pack plenty of onboard entertainment for your brood. This includes books, toys, small games, coloring books, and personal electronics. Have a good supply of snacks and drinks ready, too. Coming with the right equipment helps keep everyone happy and content.

Sometimes baby will sleep on the plane.
Lucky parents!

Pack Light: Hauling a baby or toddler through an airport can be strenuous enough as it is. Try to take only what is needed for the first few days of the trip, and then buy items along the way as you travel. Consumables like diapers, food, sunscreen, and beauty products are better purchased once the final destination has been reached. If you stay in one place for awhile, explore the option of renting equipment for baby or the beach. If possible, do laundry halfway through the trip. All these things make the luggage less cumbersome, and it means you’re hauling less.

Prepare for the Ear Popping. The ascent and descent of the plane can be a painful experience for little kids’ ears. For babies, try to nurse or give a small bottle or during lift-off and landing. Older kids can chew gum or eat a small snack. The chewing and sucking motions of these activities will help those little ears to pop and will keep kids happier.

Don’t rule out flying just because you have young kids in your family. It can be a fast and fun option when you plan in advance.

Preventing the Summer Slide

Camp is a great way to keep kids moving in the summer!

School’s out, and most kids look forward to a lazy summer full of freedom. Unfortunately, if that summer is too lazy, then kids can lose some of the valuable knowledge they gained during the school year. Here are a few strategies that parents can implement to prevent the “summer slide.”

Enjoy the Great Outdoors. Get your kids outside. Bike riding, nature hikes, time in the sandbox...these are the normal things that kids are supposed to do in the summer. When kids get outside to exercise and explore nature, they not only benefit physically, their minds are fast at work. They see new things and make up games. An hour spent playing in a sandbox employs imagination and gets the creative juices flowing.

Read, read, read! Pick up a good book and turn off the TV. Keep your kids reading all summer. Join the summer reading program at the library to help motivate and drum up interest. Reading doesn’t have to just be books, either. Magazines, graphic novels, comic books, and newspapers all qualify as reading. Set the example for your kids by choosing some of your own reading material. Hop in the hammock and spend an afternoon reading.

Go to Camp. Whether it’s a local camp or one that’s far from home, sending kids to camp is another ideal way to keep their minds sharp. Some camps have themes, like sports camps or nature camps, others are just general fun times spent in a particular place. Whichever you choose for your kids, not only will they continue to learn, they’ll also continue to develop their social skills which will benefit them throughout life.

Get Crafty. Provide opportunities for your kids to be creative. Let them sculpt, build, and paint. Older kids can tackle projects that involve skills like sewing or basic carpentry. If you need an idea, the internet provides a bounty of websites that will inspire and direct. An added bonus for summertime projects is the warm weather. Most of the mess can be kept outside, and this makes clean-up easier.



Traveling puts kids in new situations.

Hit the Road. Take your kids on vacation. Whether it’s a “stay-cation” close to home or a long trip to a far-away place, get the kids outside of their comfort zones with travel. Traveling to new places expands their minds, and kids learn from new experiences that occur daily. Whether it’s a museum, a trip to the beach, or a hike through the mountains, traveling away from home teaches kids valuable lessons that can’t be gleaned from a book.

Keep up the Routine.  Keep kids in a routine, as much as possible. Continue to implement household chores on a daily basis. Don’t let kids sleep half the day away and stay up all night. Continue to participate in music lessons or sports practices whenever possible. The more consistent you are with expectations and routines, the easier it will be to transition them back into school routines in the fall.

Pull out the Workbooks. For parents who want to take a structured approach to preventing the summer slide, there are a myriad of workbooks on the market for purchase. Require kids to complete several pages a day to keep skills fresh in their minds. When the new school year rolls around, they won’t need to review. They’ll be ready to go.

The summer slide doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of kids’ lives. When parents keep their kids’ minds and bodies moving in the summer, easing back into the school routine is as easy as 1-2-3.

 

Raising a Happy, Healthy Tween

Tweens -- a newer word in our language defined as, “Youngsters between the ages of 8 and 12.” These kiddos aren’t quite children anymore but they’re not teens, either. They’re at a time in life where a strong self-image develops and intense emotional, social, and physical changes occur. Parents can implement a few of these strategies into their families to grow kids into happy, healthy tweens who are ready to smoothly advance into the teen and adult years.

Provide 8-10 Hours of Sleep Every Night. Tweens grow rapidly, and a good night’s sleep is vital to a healthy body. The tweens’ tendency may be to stay up late, but make it a priority to provide a bed room environment that will encourage good sleeping habits. Start by removing all electronics from the room at night and stick to a regular bedtime. Bedrooms should also be comfortable and quiet.

Drink Mostly Water and Milk. Soda, diet soda, sports drinks, and even juice can be full of sugar and empty calories. Promote water and milk as the primary beverages, and save the others for special occasions. Tweens need to focus on nutrition, and these drinks do not support a healthy body.

Keep ‘Em Active. Tweens spend a large part of their day sitting at school, so keep them moving as much as possible. One hour of exercise every day is suggested, but even light activity is better than being sedentary. Playing outside, doing yard work or household chores, and playing with pets are all ways to keep kids off the couch and on their feet.

 Watch Only PG or G Rated Movies. Tweens may feel the pressure to watch PG-13 or R rated movies if their friends are, but the content of these films is not appropriate for impressionable tweens. Tweens are more likely to conform than teenagers are, and these films give a view of life that is not realistic for kids this age.

Play Only “E” Rated Video Games. Tweens’ amount of time with video games should definitely be limited in favor of physical activity, but if they must play video games, the “E” for Everyone rating is appropriate for this age level. As with movies, the higher rated games provide a snapshot of behavior and violence that’s not geared for kids in the tween years.

 Limit the Use of Social Media and Texting. Tweens’ ability to make wise choices regarding the content of their texting and social media activity is limited. They do not possess the maturity to manage themselves on these sites. Do not allow social media and texting until the teen years. Even then, parents should have full access to their kids’ activities in this area.

Monitor all Internet Activity. While the Internet can be a useful tool for tweens, it can also be a dangerous place. Studies show that every year 1 out of 5 children ages 10-17 are sexually solicited on the Internet. In that same year, 1 out of every 33 kids are aggressively solicited for money, gifts, or to arrange a meeting. 25 percent of kids will be exposed to sexually explicit material online. In short, parents need to monitor and filter the content their tweens are accessing on the Internet and train their kids in Internet safety.

Encourage Appropriate Dress. It’s a good lesson for all tweens when parents instruct them on modest dress. It can be a challenge, for sure, when styles for tweens appear to be the same ones marketed towards teens and adults. However, in an age span when kids begin to develop a self-image, parents should teach their kids how to showcase their inner qualities more than their outer appearances.  During the tween years parents can also teach their kids about dressing appropriately for different occasions and dressing for success. These lessons translate well into adulthood when most adults find themselves with clothing requirements for work.

No Time for Romance! It may be cute when tweens want to be boyfriend and girlfriend, but the tween years have no place for such behavior. This puts an unnecessary focus on romantic relationships, and these types of relationships have nowhere to go. Kids at this age should focus on being friends, not on who they’re “going out with.” Again, kids in the tween years are developing that sense of self-worth, and introducing romantic ideals into that concept only confuses them.

Parents who lay a solid foundation during the tween years set themselves up for success in the teen years. Tweens who develop a solid group of core values and a positive self-image will find those traits following them into the teen years and beyond.

Putting the "R" in Responsibility

As a teacher, parents ask me for advice on developing the trait of responsibility in their children. Here are strategies to increase your child’s level of accountability.

Assign Household Chores. Chores are part of life, and for kids they are an excellent way to teach the trait of responsibility. The earlier parents implement a regular routine of household chore assignments, the more accustomed children will be to completing them. As the parent, make it an expectation that your child will complete chores in a timely manner and as directed by you. A simple chart on the refrigerator can help you monitor chore assignments and completion. 

Homework is Child’s Play. High expectations for homework are a wonderful way to teach responsibility. Make it a routine in your household, and put the onus on the child for completion. Parents shouldn’t sit with children and walk them through their homework. Provide a quiet location with all the necessary materials, and then leave the child alone to do the work.

Allow Consequences to Occur. Don’t shelter your children from the consequences associated with their decisions. Allow your children to stumble in order to help them learn a lesson. For example, if your children choose not to complete homework, there are consequences associated with that decision. Allow them to experience those outcomes, which may include poor grades, loss of privileges, not making honor roll, or ineligibility for a sports team. As they struggle through the consequences, they will understand how to improve their decision making for the future.

Make a Connection. As children grow, help them to see the connection between responsible behavior and gaining privileges within the family. It’s natural for kids to want additional freedoms as they move through the teen years. Make a clear connection between their responsible behavior and the privileges that you give them. For example, kids who want to drive a family car need to show that they can demonstrate dependable behavior at school and at home. Then, when they’re driving, they show responsibility by following the traffic laws and handling the car in the appropriate manner. In return they are permitted to drive more often and for longer distances.

Recognize Improvements.  We all enjoy recognition for our achievements and successes in life. As your kids make improvements and show responsibility, give recognition to their achievements. Even small steps are worth celebrating. As they consistently demonstrate responsible behavior, allow them more freedoms.

Consistent leadership by parents along with clear expectations for behavior will help develop that trait of responsibility in your child. Monitor school behavior by checking grades online and communicating with the teacher. Couple the school behavior with the home behaviors and in time you will see your child turn into a responsible young man or woman.

Building Your Child's Visual Dictionary

Building a child’s “visual dictionary” is a vital part of child development. In this case, a visual dictionary isn’t a book you can buy at the store. It refers to the background knowledge, or schema, that every person on Earth possesses. We all have a set of experiences which impact how we interact with the rest of the world.

Parents can begin to build this visual dictionary in their young children.  Although it’s called a visual dictionary, all five senses are used to build schema. You can start with your children while they are babies. The earlier you begin to expose them to a variety of experiences, the more they will absorb and bring into their schema for the long run.

How can parents do this? There are many ways to build a visual dictionary, but first you need to leave the house. Children spend time in their houses every day, and after a while, these sights and sounds become routine. Build a visual dictionary by placing new items into a child’s world. It doesn’t take a long journey to find something new. Start with places in your community. Frequent visits to the city park, with a chance to explore, could be a great first step.

Searching for crayfish

After that, continue to look for new outdoor adventures. Check your area for parks or nature preserves that provide a wealth of opportunities for exploration. Let children investigate new items within the parks and take time for hands-on moments. For example, one day last summer my girls spent hours in a creek looking for crayfish. They were both delighted and terrified when those critters shot out from under rocks. They began to count the crayfish, and we all learned quite a few things about crayfish just from watching them in the water. Did you know that they can move backwards? Neither did I until we took the time to search them out and observe them.

Fine arts experiences are another wonderful way to build a visual dictionary. Find concerts and plays that are age appropriate, and expose your child to the joys of live performance. If the venue is suitable, encourage your child to dance or sing along to the music. I will never forget a Florida vacation when my four-year-old daughter danced outside a restaurant that featured a live band. We sat on a bench and listened to music while she danced the night away.

In the summer, take your child to parades and other ceremonial events. The floats and general pageantry build long lasting images in a child’s mind. The same is also true for festivals and fairs. Once summer rolls around, you’ll have no problem finding a unique festival or fair experience. Be sure and see as many different exhibits as you can. If it’s a fair, walk through the animal barns. Kids who grow up in the city don’t often get close-up views of cows and pigs. My daughter still talks about the rabbits she saw at the fair last summer.

Zoos and museums provide another opportunity for building a child’s visual dictionary. Take time to travel, if needed, to experience these valuable resources. Museums and zoos provide many enjoyable hours of experiences for your child. A simple Google search provides the information you need to make plans for visiting any of these excellent establishments.

However or wherever you choose to build your child’s visual dictionary, remember that it’s all about frequently experiencing new things. Even the youngest child builds background knowledge daily. Turn off the TV, computer, and video games and go out to see what the world has to offer. As the parent, you might even add a few new things to your visual dictionary as well!

Putting Children on a TV Diet

Television – friend or foe? While television possesses some positive qualities, there can be a dark side to this common device. Have you ever been shocked at the content of common television programs? Perhaps the strife in your household can be traced back to television viewing habits. Do you notice a downturn in your children’s behavior after they watch certain programs? If these statements sound familiar, then consider putting your children on a TV diet.

A TV diet is simple. It involves instituting a “no electronics” policy in your household. “No electronics” means no TV, computer, video gaming systems, tablets, or any other type of electronic device. Pull the plug. The only exceptions would be in the case of a school assignment. Beyond that, make all the electronics go dark in your home.

Why go to such drastic measures? The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to allow no television time for children less than two years of age. In addition, they advise no more than one to two hours per day for older children. A 2007 study from Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons concluded that 14-year-olds who watched one or more hours of television daily “were at elevated risk for poor homework completion, negative attitudes toward school, poor grades, and long-term academic failure. Those who watched three or more hours a day were at even greater risk for ‘subsequent attention and learning difficulties,’ and were the least likely to go to college.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that adolescents not have televisions in their bedrooms. Children and teens who have bedroom televisions face the temptation to watch when they should be sleeping. According to the website WebMD, the recommended amount of sleep for elementary children is 10-11 hours per day. Teens should be getting 8-9 hours of sleep per day. To encourage good sleeping habits, create a quiet and relaxing bedroom environment for children. Also make it an electronics-free zone at night. Designate a centrally located spot in your house where all portable electronics must be placed at bedtime.

The reduction of television and electronics time for your children will bring benefits. Time will be created for children to engage in brain-building activities such as creative play, reading, and exercising.  Provide materials and toys that will give children the opportunity to participate in such activities. Engage in family activities that encourage these skills, especially exercise. Spring is right around the corner, and this is a perfect time to get the family outside to participate in physical activity. Walking, jogging, or playing a game in the backyard increases physical activity for the family.

Another way to encourage more family time without electronics is to try a family game night. That may sound old-fashioned, but when the family sits down to play a game together, many skills are employed. For example, family members have to talk to each other. The participants must use strategy to be successful in the game. If it’s a team effort, the members must communicate and collaborate. Some games require drawing, singing, or acting out motions. Vocabulary skills are utilized in certain games, while money and math skills are needed with others. Family members also learn how to be compassionate winners and gracious losers. One game played every night provides a wealth of benefits to everyone involved, kids and parents.

If a TV diet sounds right for your family, you may wonder about the timeframe for such a diet. The appropriate amount of time will depend on your family. For some, a simple day without electronics would be sufficient. For other families, the timeframe might need to be longer, maybe a week. In some cases, you might find that no ending date is required. Tell your children that the ending date is, “to be determined.” Or, a regular day each week could be an “unplugged” day. Pick a day of the week and make it part of your regular routine.

Will your children be unhappy? Of course. As the parent, you must firmly put your earplugs in place and carry on as if you hear nothing. Children will eventually get over the shock of this altered lifestyle.

Our house is currently in the midst of a TV diet, and while my children are not thrilled, they have stopped complaining and moved forward. Lately, we’ve read many books and played plenty of games. My kids have kept busy with the toys that fill their bedrooms, and there’s been a great deal of creative play that’s taken place. The entire family is more cheerful and relaxed. Who knows, at this rate our TV diet may go on indefinitely. If we can do it, so can you!

Creating a Bookworm in Your Family

Enthusiastic readers are made, not born. Parental intervention and encouragement gets the ball rolling and keeps it rolling. Here’s how you can transform your child into a world-class reader.

1.  Start early. If possible, begin exposing your child to books from birth. Even though you may feel like reading to a baby is a useless task, through this process your child will become accustomed to how books “work.” The child will hear you read and will begin to realize the “sound” of reading. Keep reading to your child through the toddler and preschool years. Don’t abandon story time in elementary school. Children of all ages love to be read to.

A true bookworm...reading at the pool!

2.  Provide a wealth of materials in your home. In addition to books, offer newspapers, magazines, comic books, and graphic novels to your child. Even “junk mail” in the form of catalogs can provide a source of reading material.  Allow children to read what interests them, not what you think they should be reading. Boys generally favor nonfiction while girls favor fiction. Any type of reading is still reading, so encourage your child to explore a variety of resources.

3.  Get creative in acquiring materials. If you feel the financial pinch of buying new items, visit your local library. It’s free to acquire a library card, and as long as you don’t incur late fees, the library can keep you stocked in reading material for years. Other low-cost sources include used book stores and garage sales. Parents can also institute a swap policy with families who have kids of similar ages. Load a bucket with books and trade with another family for a month.

If your family uses e-readers, check for free or low cost books that you can download. Most public libraries now have books that can be “checked out” for your e-reader. The website www.bookbub.com will send you a daily e-mail with free and low cost books in your chosen genre. The selections from Book Bub are appropriate for teens and adults.

4.  Set an example. Kids who see their parents read on a regular basis are more apt to do it themselves. Make a concerted effort to read in front of your children, and let them know that it’s a priority for you. If you’re not a fan of chapter books, consider the resources discussed above. Magazines, newspapers, and graphic novels still qualify as reading.

5. Unplug the electronics.  Precious hours of the day are wasted sitting in front of electronic devices. Institute a daily time where there can be no electronics in use. Encourage kids to fill this time with reading. You can make an exception for e-readers as long as they are only for reading.

6.  Find common ground. Once your child becomes older, take time to read some of the same books. This provides common ground for you and your child. Have discussions about the books – the characters, the exciting highs and lows, and anticipation for sequels to be released. Not only does this encourage your child to read, it helps to keep a line of communication open between the child and the parents.

Meeting with YA author Peter Lerangis at an author event.
Check your local bookstores for these free author moments.
It's a great way to excite your child about reading!

7.  Celebrate books. Popular book series garner quite a following among both kids and adults. Book release parties and author visits are some of the events that accompany the release of new books in a popular series. Participate in these events with your child, and go out of your way to make these memorable moments.

8.  Spend time in bookstores and libraries. Make the bookstore a destination. Take the time to browse for an afternoon. Books on every topic can be found on the shelves, and hours can be spent searching and reading. We are fortunate to have wonderful library and bookstore resources in our area. Make great use of what’s available to encourage reading.

It’s never too late to instill the love of reading to your child. Consistent implementation of the techniques described above will, over time, turn your child into a bookworm and will set the stage for a lifetime of reading enjoyment.

Using Holiday Moments to Build Family Traditions

Children enjoy decorating their own
little Christmas trees.

The holiday season is an ideal time to employ special moments as a way to build lifelong traditions with your kids. Take time to slow down and invest in each other to build upon a set of traditions that can be carried on for generations and leave a lasting legacy in your family.

Most of us are decking the halls and making the season bright, but you can turn this into an important time for your child through a few simple steps. Look at the ornaments on your tree. Are there special ones that have significance? Let your kids take ownership of ornaments like this and hang them in a place of honor on the tree. Be sure to tell the stories behind ornaments that are important to the family. Another way to build a family tradition with ornaments is to allow children to purchase a new ornament that they particularly like each Christmas. It will be their job to place it on the tree every year.

To take the decorating tradition up a notch, find a small tree that is just for your kids to decorate. Let them be the masters of the tree and decorate it as they see fit. Knowing that they have their “own” tree, gives them something they can look forward to every year. This year my daughter decorated a small Disney Princess tree that is distinctly her own work of art.

Setting up the nativity scene can be another holiday tradition for religious families. As each piece is placed, retell the story of Jesus, and invite your children to be part of the storytelling.

As more and more lights make their appearance on our holiday horizon, make a yearly tradition of visiting the area’s light displays. I still remember visiting a light display at a local waterfall every year. My family made it a tradition to go to the falls and walk down the path to view the display. It was an annual event and one that I eagerly anticipated. Search out a light display in the area, and make a point to visit that display, even if it’s just a drive-by viewing. Top off the night with a cup of hot cocoa and you’ve got a family tradition in the making.

Children’s Christmas books abound at this time of year, and your family may already have a favorite. Whether the story is read every night of the season or only on a certain night, bringing those moments of literature into the house encourages reading while fostering enjoyment of the season. It may be the story of Jesus read straight from the Bible, a beautifully illustrated version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” or even the Dr. Seuss Classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Whatever it is, make the reading of a Christmas classic an event for everyone. Pull up pillows in front of the fireplace, grab the milk and cookies, and gather together for the story. Parents don’t necessarily have to do the reading, either. Older siblings can read to the family, or let the willing readers take turns with different books. Stuck on what book to read? Visit Jay & Mary’s Book Center in Troy, and they will be happy to make suggestions for you from the great selection of holiday books that they always stock at this time of year.

Create little sous chefs by allowing kids to be an integral part of the cookie baking process. Everyone can don aprons and set about with cookie making and decorating. Containers of sugars and sprinkles will definitely catch a child’s eye, and they’ll remember spending time in the kitchen baking up warm memories. Share the goodness of your kitchen by delivering plates of baked goods to neighbors. Let the kids add a personal touch by decorating Christmas cards with drawings and stickers. This will surely warm your neighbors’ hearts, and it will help your children understand what it means to give.

Whatever traditions you choose to build in your family both this year and in the years to come, remember that the essential element is time. Spend time together away from the other distractions of life. Turn off the TV and the other electronics. Connect with your kids by giving them your undivided attention while you make those holiday traditions ones that will last a lifetime.