Episode 6 - Research Skills

Description: This episode addresses how you can assist your child in the development of research skills.

Key Points and Links:
1. Before you start, discuss what your child already knows and what they plan to find out.
2. Consider together the best places to find the information.
YouTube
TeacherTube
Flickr
Google Search
Yahoo Search
Google Maps Street View
3. Access a variety of resources together.
4. Assist your child to organise their notes logically and put the ideas in their own words.

Click here for the podcast. (Now also available FREE through iTunes to enjoy on your iPod at your convenience).
If you enjoyed the show or have suggestions for future episodes, please leave your comment below.
Thanks, Penny.

Episode 5 - Reading - Once They Can Read

Description
This episode provides some direction for supporting and encouraging your children once they've learnt to read and have begun reading independently.

In Review:
Early Years Are Learning Years
Top 5 Books for a Baby - Sandra Foyt
Tips for how to Talk to your Baby
Family Education.com
Parents as Partners at Ed Tech Talk

Key Points and Links
1. Help your child consider their personal tastes and interests in reading
Usborne Publishers - Here's a sample of craft books from Usborne.

2. Help your child to build connections and think about different perspectives

Building Rainbows.com - Online book reviews for kids where they can submit their own reviews.

Shelfari - Social Networking Space around books and book reviews. UPDATE: No age limit communicated through terms and conditions.

Good Reads - Social Networking Space around books and book reviews. Members must be 13+ years.

My Readable Feast - Tips and resources for bringing families closer with children's books.

Kids off the Couch - Activities to keep families active.

Click here for the podcast. (Now also available FREE through iTunes to enjoy on your iPod at your convenience).

If you enjoyed the show or have suggestions for future episodes, please leave your comment below.

Thanks, Penny.

Episode 4 - Reading - Early Attempts

Description
This episode addresses how to support your child as they begin reading in the early years of school.

Key Points and Links
1. Read Together - Enjoy and Discuss
Spaghetti Book Club
Jack Prelutsky's Poetry
The Magic School Bus (at Scholastic)
Various Cutaway Books illustrated by Jon Richards, Ken Marschall, or Mark Bergin.

2. Obsess over print - Point out EVERYTHING

3. Encourage your child to write
Free printable shopping list, to do list and things to remember list

4. Encourage and support your child with reading


Click here for the podcast

If you enjoyed the show or have suggestions for future episodes, please leave your comment below.
Thanks, Penny.

Podcast Episode 2 - Finding out what your child is learning

Description
This episode addresses the ways you can keep in touch with what is happening in your child's classroom. We begin with the back-to-school night, or parent information session, and then look at ways to keep in touch throughout the year.

Links
Making the most of Back-to-School night:
Great Schools.net
Megan K. Scott
Volunteering in the classroom
Mommy Meryl
Parent/Teacher Interviews
The Raising Children Network

Click here for the podcast.