Social Smart
Play Smart: Teddy Bear Picnic
June 20, 2011 in 5-8 Beginning Readers, Play Smart, Social Smart, Tip of the Week
The end of school is typically an exciting time for kids, but can be a somewhat worrisome time for parents. When weather does not cooperate or children find themselves reluctant to find entertainment on their own it can be stressful trying to keep them busy. A fun idea that can be implemented outside, or in, is a Teddy Bear Picnic.
Encourage your little one to find their favorite stuffed bear (or animal in general) and choose some friends to invite to do the same. Prepare a picnic together using teddy bears as your theme. Cut sandwiches with bear shaped cookie cutters, pack berries and maybe some homemade biscuits to eat with honey from a honey bear, and you can even buy teddy bear shaped graham cracker, gummies or crackers.
With your child and their invited friends, stuffed and human alike, layout a picnic blanket at a park or on your floor and enjoy your meal. Once you have eaten you can then enjoy story-time with your guests by asking each child to bring their favorite book about a bear or the type of stuffed animal they brought.
–Lauren McMullan, BYU Student, School of Education
Older posts
History Smart: Civil War and Citizenship
May 9, 2011 in 13+ Teen, 5-8 Beginning Readers, History Smart, Literacy Tips, Social Smart, Tip of the Week
In a world where mathematics and language arts dominate the national test content there is a chance your child’s social studies instruction may be falling to the wayside. However, being well-versed in social studies is one part history, two parts being a good citizen and thus all parts good for …
Social Smart: The History of Thanksgiving
November 22, 2010 in 0-4 Baby/Toddler, 5-8 Beginning Readers, Literacy Tips, Social Smart, Tip of the Week
This year for Thanksgiving, start a new tradition! Read the history behind the holiday and talk as a family about how the past affects our life today. Ask specific questions from books to build your child’s comprehension. Start a family tradition …
Read Smart: Article of the Week
July 6, 2010 in 9-12 Tween, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Read Smart, Social Smart, Tip of the Week, World Smart, Write Smart
One of the keys to reading comprehension is activating background knowledge. Of course, it is impossible to activate knowledge that doesn’t exist. Help keep your children and teens informed about current events by discussing relevant topics with them and introducing them …
Social Smart: Making Literacy a Holiday Tradition
March 19, 2010 in 5-8 Beginning Readers, 9-12 Tween, Book Lists, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Social Smart, Tip of the Week, Tips of the Week
Incorporate reading, writing, and creating into your holiday preparations.
Ask your child to write out the family grocery shopping list and then read the items aloud as you peruse the aisles together.
Encourage your child to read aloud the recipes for …
Teen Smart: Improving Literacy through Family Talk
March 8, 2010 in 13+ Teen, 9-12 Tween, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Social Smart, Tip of the Week
Most stories told in a family setting deal with familiar people, places, and situations. These stories increase knowledge about how to function in broader society. They also create environments in which family members must pay attention to …
Teen Smart: Improving Literacy through Family Talk
March 1, 2010 in 13+ Teen, 9-12 Tween, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Social Smart, Tip of the Week
Tip #3: Make direct literacy prompts
Ask your teen what he or she likes to read and encourage him or her to explain why. Talk about the characters, their decision, and their actions. Ask questions about spelling, …
Teen Smart: Improving Literacy through Family Talk
February 22, 2010 in 13+ Teen, 9-12 Tween, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Social Smart, Tip of the Week
Tip #2: Plan together
Parents should take time to discuss plans together with their children. Planning discussions could focus on family or individual activities, responsibilities, and goals. Discussions might include resources needed, time lines, alternative courses of action and more, and anticipated results. The ability to manage time and resources gained …
Teen Smart: Improving Literacy through Family Talk
February 15, 2010 in 13+ Teen, 9-12 Tween, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Social Smart, Tip of the Week
Tip #1: Ask questions and listen to answers
Help develop the expositional skills that your teen needs now and in adult life by posing and pursuing discussion topics. Be willing to move from topic to topic until you find one that appeals to the teen. These discussions should be non …
Social Smart: Cultivating Gratitude
November 23, 2009 in 0-4 Baby/Toddler, 5-8 Beginning Readers, Book Lists, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Read Smart, Social Smart, Tip of the Week
Thanksgiving allows kids to appreciate what they have before December is filled with wishes for what they want. Use the simple text and colorful illustrations in these two picture books to talk with young children about everyday things …
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Our mission is to promote the myriad benefits of family literacy. We seek to provide reliable information, including booklists, reviews, literacy tips, and research, that will help make literacy part of everyday family life.
The Families and Literacy site is produced by Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library and the David O. McKay School of Education. Statements and opinions expressed in the site are the responsibilities of authors, presenters, and reviewers and do not necessarily reflect views, constitute endorsement, or set policy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Brigham Young University.