Just read some articles talking about kids reading e-books. Some people say on-screen reading is bad for kids. Others say there is nothing wrong with on-screen reading. What do you think? Here are some of my thoughts.

WHY MIGHT PARENTS FEEL E-BOOK READING IS BAD

• Many parents are worried about how their children are addicted to electronic gadgets, whether it be an i-pad, computer or television. We try hard to limit their attachment to these gadgets. Naturally, there is the notion that e-books should not be encouraged too much.
• Parents are worried that too much screen time are bad for the eyes.
• Not much is known about the long term effects of  on-screen reading. Some parents would rather be safe than sorry.

BENEFITS OF READING PRINTED BOOKS OVER E-BOOKS

• Some children books have sensory components like touch-and-feel books and scratch-and-smell books. Lift-the-flap books also help children with motor skills. These things are missing when reading an e-book.

• The idea of keeping tradition. Some parents feel they grew up reading printed books. Likewise, they want their children to have the same experience.
• Reading a proper books teaches children things like how to turn the page properly.
• There’s just something magical about going to the library. Many parents use trips to the library as a treat for their children.
• There are many functions to tablets, not just reading e-books. These could be distractions. Plus, you can’t tell if they are reading a book, playing games or on Facebook.
• You can save money by exchanging books among friends

BENEFITS OF E-BOOKS OVER PRINTED BOOKS

• Kids love anything digital. Some will not read printed books but will read an e-book. It can be one way to encourage reluctant readers. Here are some data collected by the National Literacy Trust survey:

• 39% of children and young people read daily using electronic devices including tablets and eReaders, but only 28% read printed materials daily. The number of children reading eBooks has doubled in the last two years (from 6% to 12%).

• Children say they prefer to read on screen. Over half (52%) said they would rather read on electronic devices but only a third (32%) would rather read in print.

• You have to agree that there’s a wide selection of books to choose from.
• You can get a book easily and instantly.
• Gadgets come in handy when you are traveling. You can excess all your e-books easily without bulking up your luggage.

SO, IS READING E-BOOKS DETRIMENTAL TO A CHILD?

Here’s an excerpt by the National Literacy Trust based on a survey they did:

It found those who read daily only on-screen are nearly twice less likely to be above average readers than those who read daily in print or in print and on-screen (15.5% vs 26%). Those who read only on-screen are also three times less likely to enjoy reading very much (12% vs 51%) and a third less likely to have a favourite book (59% vs 77%).

Looking at their findings, a parent would be quick to agree that on-screen reading is not favorable. However, we must be careful how we analyze such data. Do not make the mistake of assuming one factor causes another. In other words, there seems to be a relationship between on-screen reading and reading levels and reading enjoyment BUT we cannot say on-screen reading causes a child to become less adept at reading or causes them to dislike reading.

SO, ARE YOU A BAD PARENT TO ENCOURAGE E-BOOK READING?

Well, I don’t think there is any evil in e-book reading. However, in my home I still advocate print reading. This is just so my kids are encouraged to read different types of material: e-book, books, magazine, newspaper.

However, I am putting off buying a tablet for my kids because I know they will be playing games on it rather than reading. There’ll be lots of fighting on who gets to use it next. Also, I will have less stress if they are holding a book. I still have young kids and no harm will be done if they accidentally dropped a book. But accidentally dropping a tablet can hurt my pocket deeply. Maybe when they are older and more responsible.

However, I do like the idea of e-books because there are some books my older daughter likes that I can’t find in the bookshops here. I can easily find them online and I don’t have to bother driving out and struggling to find a place to park my car. Furthermore, I can use the money I have in my paypal to pay. Oh, let’s not forget that I don’t need to buy extra shelves for books. I don’t think I have any more space.

There are pros and cons to both reading printed books and e-books. You just need to look at your situation and your kids and decide what is the best way to boost their literacy.

CHEAP PRINTED BOOKS

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EXTRA READING:

Here are 2 articles that lean towards printed books:
By Pew Research Center. Headline reads “In a digital age, parents value printed books for their kids”
By National Literacy Trust. Headline reads “Children’s on-screen reading overtakes reading in print “”

Here is 1 article that say we should not rule out ebooks too quickly:
By Digitalbookworld. Headline reads “Are Ebooks Worse For Kids Than Paper Books?”

So, do you agree or disagree that on-screen reading is bad for kids? I would love to hear your opinion.

Content:

Introduction: How I Rediscovered the Ancient Secrets for Calming Crying Babies
Part One -

• Look Who’s Squawking: Why Babies Cry — And Why Some Cry So Much At Last There’s Hope: An Easy Way to Calm Crying Babies
• Crying: Our Babies’ Ancient Survival Tool
• The Dreaded Colic: A “CRYsis” for the Whole Family
• The Top Five Theories of Colic and Why They Aren’t Right
• The True Cause of Colic: The Missing Fourth Trimester

Part Two -

• Learning the Ancient Art of Soothing a Baby The Woman Who Mistook Her Baby for a Horse: Modern Parents Who Forgot About the Fourth Trimester
• Your Baby’s Off Switch for Crying: The Calming Reflex and the 5 “S’s”
• The 1st “S”: Swaddling — A Feeling of Pure “Wrap”ture
• The 2nd “S”: Side (or Stomach) — Your Baby’s Feel-Good Position
• The 3rd “S”: Shhhh — Your Baby’s Favorite Soothing Sound
• The 4th “S”: Swinging — Moving in Rhythm with Your Baby’s Needs
• The 5th “S”: Sucking — The Icing on the Cake
• The Cuddle Cure: Combining the 5 “S’s” into a Perfect Recipe for Your Baby’s Bliss
• Other Colic Remedies: From Massage and Feeing Problem Cures to Old Wives’ Tales
• The Magical 6th “S”: Sweet Dreams!

Conclusion: The Rainbow at the End of the Tunnel

The book is easy to read with many subheadings, diagrams, bullet points, and parents sharing their experiences. If you want to get the book, click the picture at the beginning of this post. For a DVD & CD combo, click the link below:
The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD + CD COMBO By Dr. Harvey Karp The New Way to Calm Crying, and Help Your Baby Sleep Longer + “Super Soothing” Calming Sounds CD With 5 great sounds!

Other books of interest:

• Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
• The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night : Foreword by William Sears, M.D. (Pantley)
• Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice For Your Baby’s First Year (KINDLE edition) (Baby:411)

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Every kid wants to have fun during the summer holidays. It is a time to relax and take a break from studying. However, we should still encourage children to read during the long school break. But what if your children are reluctant to read?

Here are some ideas on what you can do to get your children interested in reading.

APPEAL TO THEIR INTEREST

You can tell what kind of stories your children like by the movies and shows they watch. For example, if you children love adventure movies, you could seek out adventure books for them to read. Older kids might take an interest in reading books that have been made into movies like Harry Potter , The Hunger Games, Geronimo Stilton , Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
Little girls might like reading books that have Barbie as the main character. My son used to have a fascination for dinosaurs and so, I searched for all the dinosaur books I could get my hands on. My other son loved trucks and diggers. Naturally, I would get him books on that topic.

UNABRIDGED AUDIOBOOKS

Your children might like the idea of listening to an audio-book while reading. This could motivate children who struggle a bit with reading. Listening to the audio book can help with reading fluency and comprehension. It is also a great way to transition from TV to reading. Here are some of the top audio books for children:
The BFG CD
The Cat in the Hat
The Complete Tales of Peter Rabbit and Friends
Charlotte’s Web
Dragon Rider
Geronimo Stilton Audio Books

GRAPHIC NOVELS AND ILLUSTRATED NOVELS

Many kids will put off reading because the book has “too many words”. If that is the case, graphic novels and illustrated novels may be their preferred choice. Reading is less daunting when there are pictures. Furthermore, they can quickly finish the story in one sitting. Graphic novels is an excellent way to get your children engaged in books. Truthfully, they do a better job than other “early reader” books.

CHART THEIR PROGRESS

Create a motivational chart to keep track of how many books your children read. That is what one mother did and you can click here to go to her post and download the reading charts she used. When your children meet their goal of reading 5 books or 10 books, give them a promised prize.

MAKE BOOKS EASILY ACCESSIBLE

I don’t know about you but I like to read in the bathroom. My friend shared with me that she put some books in the car and that got her son reading. So, don’t think that books should just be on a shelf. You can put a basket of books in your children’s room, bathroom, kitchen , near the dining table etc…. Make books accessible throughout the house. Another idea is to create a special reading corner with comfy pillows.

READ TO THEM OR READ TOGETHER

It is easy to say to your children “go read a book”. But you will find that it is more effective to invite them to come read together with you. Many parents think that it is silly to read to a child that already knows how to read. I can assure you it is not silly at all. On the contrary, you will be creating treasured moments. You may find that they actually look forward to that time when you snuggle on the bed or the couch with them to read.

Never make reading a chore for your kids. Children will love to read if they view it as a fun activity. They have to like it and you cannot make them like it by forcing them to read. If you need more help on getting your children to read, check out this book… Book Love: Help Your Child Grow from Reluctant to Enthusiastic Reader

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Click here to see which books you would like to add to you library collection.

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Reading (Photo credit: courosa)

So what can parents do to cultivate a love for reading in their young children?

Here are some suggestions.

READ TO YOUR CHILDREN

So simple to do yet many parents don’t do it because they don’t consider it a priority. The act of reading to our children is simple yet powerful. So don’t let other activities overshadow your reading time together. Also, when you read to your children, make it a fun and enjoyable time. Some parents wonder when is a good time to start? Well, you can start even before they are 6 months old. Read to your baby nursery rhymes and bounce them on your knee. Board books are good for that young age. Choose books that are colorful and bright. You don’t have to spend a long time reading to them.  Keep your reading sessions short but do it often throughout the day. Slowly their attention span will increase.

TAKE YOUR CHILDREN TO THE LIBRARY

This is one way to surround your children with books. Get them a library card and take a trip to the library every week. Take part in library activities such as story telling time. That is an excellent way to develop early literacy skills. Those doing the story telling are very experienced in capturing the focus and attention of young children. They often use puppets, pictures and songs that delight the children. Find out from your librarian about summer reading programs, family literacy events, tutoring programs and home literacy tips. If you’re not sure what books to borrow for your children, they might have an age-appropriate book lists that you can refer to.

MAKE YOUR HOME LANGUAGE-RICH

Don’t be afraid to use big, adult words when talking with your children. This is one way to increase their vocabulary. One of the best times to talk to your children is during meal times. Engage them in interesting conversation. If you have a baby, sing and talk to your baby even though its going to be a one way conversation. You can talk to your children about what they are doing, hearing, seeing and tasting. Don’t forget to talk to them about feelings too. Don’t just talk, listening is also important. If there is no one at home because both parents are working, make sure you choose a quality kindergarten or day-care that will nurture your children’s language development.

BOOKS BEFORE TOYS

When I went to church with my kids, I would pack my bag with books instead of toys. That is how I kept them quiet. I would also have books in my car. Whenever I had to wait at the doctors, the bank or whatever appointment, I would whip out a book for them. It is better that you invest in books rather than toys. Of course I’m not saying toys are not important. Play is important too but comparatively, it would be better if you had more books at home than toys.

Click here if you want to know where you can buy cheap children books

1. Extreme Couponing

Have you ever watched “Extreme Couponing” on TLC? It may seem like frugality taken to the extreme, but the participants are saving thousands of dollars in the end.

With patience, organization and diligence, you can collect coupons and start saving big. Start browsing the ads of your local grocery and retail stores and look out for ways to combine coupons on sales items. You may be able to appease your kids as well, by finding the items they like. According to MoneyCrasher.com, you can use a store coupon and manufacturer’s coupon on a single item. You can compound your savings even further by using these coupons during a store sale.

Smartphones have opened a brave new world of opportunities for extreme couponing. Take a look at these apps:

Yowza – Yowza alerts you to deals and coupons in your location. Simply show the digital coupon to cashiers to redeem them.

The Coupon App – This app’s coupon database is constantly updated with new deal. You can also search through the vast deal database with your voice.

Shopkick – This free app allows you to earn points by walking into major store chains like Target or Best Buy. After collecting sufficient points, they can be redeemed for a “reward,” which can range from a purse to a cappuccino, depending on the store.

2. Cheap Transport

Motorists are penny pinchers at the pump, so it’s curious why more commuters aren’t carpooling. If you do commute to work each day, communicate with your coworkers to see if you can organize a carpool. Depending on your location, public transportation is another viable alternative to driving. When these two options aren’t possible, and you’re in need of a new vehicle, there’s another frugal solution. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, there shouldn’t be a reason why you’re not seeking used cars instead of the latest model. It’s financially wasteful to experience the immediate depreciation of driving off the lot in a new car. To save your hard-earned dollars, go used instead of new.

3. Go to the Library

The library is an underutilized resource that can be found in nearly every community. Your tax money is being spent on the library, so why aren’t you using it? Make the public library your go-to book, video and music store. Take your kids and show them the fun and excitement a library provides. Libraries are also the ideal place for teaching reading skills to your children. Excluding the aforementioned taxes, the library is a completely free source of entertainment. Take a look at your budget and your monthly earnings spent on recreation. If you use the library, you can cut out all those books you’re ordering on Amazon, music purchases on iTunes and your Netflix subscription. Depending on the library—and there should be several in your near proximity—a slew of DVDs, CDs and (obviously) books are available for you to check out for free.

Sell Your Crafts Online

When Etsy was created, it changed the way people shopped and the way small businesses made their money. A simple search of “Valentine’s Day” showed over 237,000 items ranging from baby headbands, homemade cards, Valentine’s banners and beautiful home decor. Don’t let your crafting talents go unnoticed by anyone other than your kids and PTA parents, use your skills and start selling your crafts online at websites like Etsy. You’d be surprised how quickly you can sell those burlap pillows or homemade soaps.

To make sure all the money is going to the right place, frequently check your online bank statements and keep an eye on your cash flow. Improve cash flow management with an American Express card, where you can check your transaction history and make sure all the money coming from Etsy is going to the right place.

Instrument Lessons

Teach children and reintroduce an adults love to music by teaching them how to play a musical instrument. As a piano, trombone, flute or guitar teacher you can help others create a passion for instruments as well as a familiarity to making music. The great part of being a music teacher is you can teach from the comforts of your home or travel to student’s homes for a small fee. Sign up at Harmonious.ly, an agency that connects music teachers and students, or volunteer your time at community or school events.

Child Care

If children are your passion, offer a home daycare for busy, working moms. If your duties include picking up the children after school, driving them to sports engagements make sure you have a clear driving record or let any tickets known up front. Make sure you’re aware of any food allergies and don’t let the kids snack on sweets all day; give the kids the same foods and attention you would give to your own children. Childcare is always in demand, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for day care services will increase by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Freelance Work

If writing is your passion, write from the comforts of your own home (or fast-food restaurant lobby during play dates). Online blogs, publishers, magazines and newspapers are always looking for reliable freelance writers. Seek out areas in your interested. If you love home decor, DIY projects and birthday party planning, target party planning sites, mommy blogs or crafting magazines.

PLR or Private Label Rights is an amazing time saver. You can use it as content to be published, grow your traffic, build your list and increase your sales.

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Of course you can always change the container and the type of candy. In any candy bouquet, the process is the same…

• Select a suitable container.
• Cut some Styrofoam to fit the container. This is for you to poke the candy sticks into it.
• Use tissue or other decorative fillers to give it a colorful, festive look.
• Any candy that doesn’t have a stick of its own, attach a stick with a glue gun.
• Arrange the candy so it looks visually appealing.
• Add in ribbons, soft toy or other decorative stuff to enhance the look.

It is so much fun to put these candy bouquets together. You can do it for any occasion. If you need more ideas and instructions on how to make your own candy bouquet, you’ll get valuable information here: HOW TO MAKE CANDY BOUQUETS FOR FUN AND PROFIT