My son, AJ, is still learning his letters and and a great way to do this is to have him do a scavenger hunt when we are out driving around during the day.
Before you head out, make up a long list of various things your children are likely to see from the car (or bus or train) window. For example: a license plate beginning with the letter C, an old tire, a tow truck, an overpass, a city that is named after a woman, a McDonalds restaurant, a silo, and so on.
Give the children the long list to …read more

Reading is Fundamental (RIF.org) and US Airways have teamed up to present a challenge with a contest attached to it via the Read with Kids Challenge.    The purpose is to get parents to read with their children.
To enter, simply visit the Read with Kids Challenge web page by May 31st, register and log the number of minutes you spend reading with a child.  Winners will be chosen randomly from the entries for the following prizes:

Grand Prize: 4 day/3 night trip for four people to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida
First Runner-Up: $1500 US Airways gift card valid for travel anywhere …read more

Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is promoting Reading is Fun Week, May 12-18, 2008, by asking parents to visit the RIF.org website for a variety of resources and ideas to help celebrate Reading is Fun Week with their children.
The RIF.org website provides a variety of resources for parents and activities for children such as:

A day-by-day children’s activity calendar for each day of the week
Visitors can send a children’s art e-card to spread the joy of reading
Explore RIF’s literacy activities, including Reading Is Fun bingo.

RIF also provides parents with reading tips, including how to:

Help children start a reading journal
Find a fun book series for children …read more

There is very little that I can say about US Airways these days that is even remotely nice.  And my mom always said, “If you can’t say something nice…”  Well, you know.
So I won’t bore you with reasons that I think that the airline has dug its own hole when it comes to miserable on time performance, lousy customer service and the worst food that I have ever experienced on an airplane.
But on my trip to the UK, I did notice that US Airways did make one nod in favor of being more child-friendly:  on board children’s books.  But don’t …read more

Remember that mega-budget that President Bush recently submitted for fiscal year 2009? There were record increases for some niche budgets – like defense – but apparently not enough for reading.
President Bush’s budget eliminated funding for the Reading Is Fundamental book distribution program. Founded in 1966, Reading Is Fundamental is the oldest and largest children’s and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. The organization’s priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. The organization provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year. Yep, …read more