Great ways to help you start off on the right foot this year!!

Calendars

Use a weekly calendar to help your child learn the days of the week as well as the concepts of yesterday, tomorrow, and so on. A monthly calendar is information overload; a week’s view is easier to grasp and can still be used to teach the concept of time management.

Fill in everyone’s (parents’ and children’s) schedule each week — appointments, dinners, sports practices, and so on. At the end of each day, have your child cross off completed activities and discuss the next day emphasizing. As your child grows, the calendar will help him develop other skills, like accountability. He can see when you will or will not be available to help with a project, and can plan accordingly and begin to assume some personal responsibility.

Clocks

Analog clocks, as opposed to digital clocks, show that time moves and lets kids know where they stands in relation to the rest of the hour or day. Reinforce the idea of time management skills in a day to day way to allow your child to gain personal perspective.

Using Planners

Just like adults, children need a place to keep track of deadlines, appointments, and other information. Utilizing a planner will help your child manage all he has to remember in a systematic way. Adding class schedules, a friend’s number to call for homework clarification, detailed homework assignments and due dates will help your child see a large picture with pieces that are manageable. Be active in your child’s planner by reviewing it regularly together.

Help your child practice prioritizing homework by figuring out together how many assignments he has to complete, which are due tomorrow, and which are the most challenging. Encourage him to start the most difficult homework first, when he’s fresh and energetic.

Managing Paper Flow

Most students need a systematic approach to transport all of their papers and other materials to and from school. Figuring out a system that works for your child may take some time and experimentation, but keep trying, and listen.

Make Finished Project Files

Set up a desktop file box with hanging folders by subject, and encourage your child to regularly transfer finished projects here. This way, if he needs to look something up or find a paper later on, it will be neatly organized by subject. For students utilizing online projects, make sure you keep an file on your hard drive to store all completed work and projects.

Practice Patience

A parent’s support and perseverance help make organizing a positive and effective experience for a child, one that will prove to be a lifetime asset. Persistence and patience go hand in hand!!

Find us on Pinterest and find loads of BRACE FRIENDLY recipes to cook for dinner tonight!!!

http://www.pinterest.com/brunklaster1/brace-friendly-recipes/

Summer Reading Fun!! 16 books that are great reads!!

Bunnicula:

Told from the perspective of a dog about a Vampire Bunny Rabbit that sucks the juice out of vegetables. This is a series of books-the others are called Howliday Inn, The Celery Stalks At Midnight, Nighty-Nightmare, Return to Howliday Inn, Bunnicula Strikes Again and Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow. These books are clever and funny and each contains a mystery that the pets are trying to solve. So fantastic! Probably good for most ages of kids who can sit still long enough to listen to a chapter book.

Fablehaven:

Two kids whose grandparents happen to be the keepers of a magical forest full of all kinds of magical creatures from good guys to bad guys. There are 5 books in this series and they just keep getting better as you read. The first is good, the second is better and the 3rd, 4th and 5th are amazing. They are a similar genre to something like Harry Potter, so if you loved Harry you will probably like this. Probably best for kids who are older elementary age.

The Candy Shop War:

Another one by the same author as Fablehaven (Brandon Mull) that is a fun read for kids. Think enchanted candy and mysteries and you’ve got The Candy Shop Wars. My boys loved these. What kid doesn’t love reading about candy mixed with magic? There are two books in this series and it is probably best for middle to older elementary age.

Island of the Blue Dolphins:

A classic that you probably read when you were in elementary or middle school but maybe haven’t thought to read to your kids? We just read this recently and I was surprised just how much my boys loved it. And it’s good for learning about other cultures. And we loved finding out that it’s actually based on a true story. A great read and great for most ages. It can be slow in parts and younger kids might get bored, but my two older boys (8 and 10) were engaged the whole time.

Tuesdays at the Castle and Wednesdays in the Tower: 

Three kids in a castle because they are royalty, dealing with the crazy changes that the castle makes every Tuesday and all of the other magic and bad guys that come their way. A wonderful and fun book for any age.

Janitors:

Another series, this one has three books, and they are all about a gang of janitors fighting off the evil BEM who wants to take over education. The janitors use magical mops and brooms and chalk dust to fight the bad guys along with help from a few kids. So quirky and funny. Great for all ages.

Evertaster:

All about a kid who tastes things so strongly that he can barely stand to eat most food. He’s on the search for the one true recipe. It’s funny and it’s fun and when we finished, we MADE the one true recipe. And there’s a novella to go with it-The Buttersmith’s Gold-which was also fantastic. And there’s a sequel coming soon! All ages on this book too.

Clementine:

Have you met Clementine? Because if you haven’t, you must! She’s so loveable and fun. A little red haired girl who gets into all kinds of mischief at school and at home and reminds you once again what it’s like to be a kid. There are 6 Clemetine books  and they are all wonderful. You don’t have to read them in any particular order and they can stand alone but you’ll want to read them all because they are all so cute. I think all ages would enjoy these.

Holes:

You may already know the premise if you’ve seen the movie-a bunch of kids at a camp in the middle of no where, forced to dig holes day after day. It does an amazing job of flashing back then forward and weaving several story lines together. And when you are done you can watch the movie together!

The Chronicles of Narnia:

These are some of the best books ever written. Several children discover a magical land-Narnia-and have adventures there. I’ve only read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe with my kids so far, but they loved it. I read it with them when they were about 7 and 5 or younger and I had to stop a lot to explain words and help them understand the language. So maybe a good series for older kids?

Charlotte’s Web:

Another classic that you’ve probably already read and that your kids will love. Who doesn’t love the story of a pig and a spider who form a friendship? This one is also good for all ages.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret:

This story is told a lot in pictures. You will be reading along and all of a sudden you will come to a whole section with no words, just pictures and you have to fill in the details in your mind. So don’t let the size of this book scare you. There are lots of pages but it’s an easy read. And this one has a movie to watch after it too!

Tale of Despereaux:

It’s the story of a cute little mouse living in a castle. Again, there’s a fun movie to go with it. Great for all ages.

Because of Winn Dixie:

By the same author as Despereaux, this is a sweet story about a girl who is learning the hard lessons of growing up. Wonderful characters in this one that you come to love and appreciate by the end of the book. This one is probably best of middle to older elementary ages.

Little House in the Big Woods:

Another series, this one with lots of books, that will teach your kids all about what it was like to grow up hundreds of years ago.  A great educational experience as well as fun.

The Great Brain:

This series is similar to the Little House series in that the kids will learn all about life in the past. This series though is humorous and very engaging as you learn about the shenanigans of a family of naughty boys.