December Read: IT'S OK NOT TO SHARE by Heather Shumaker

The last book for this year will be IT'S OK NOT TO SHARE by Heather Shumaker. This will also be the readalong for 2014 for one of my favorite blogs, NOT JUST CUTE.

I am still playing catchup with a few of the books but I hope to post a recap of our reading adventure in January!

November Read: RAISING SELF-RELIANT CHILDREN IN A SELF-INDULGENT WORLD by H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelson

Our November read seems appropriate as we move into the holiday season:

I already love Jane Nelson from her Positive Discipline books so I am looking forward to this one!

October Read: PLAYFUL LEARNING: DEVELOP YOUR CHILD'S SENSE OF JOY AND WONDER by Mariah Bruehl

I'm a little behind with my reading because I had trouble getting some of the books at the library.  So, this month, we'll have something that isn't a straight read but more of a reference guide. I'm always looking for ways to encourage a love of learning in my son. I'm hoping this book could help with that.

September Read: HOW TO TALK SO YOUR KIDS WILL LISTEN & LISTEN SO KIDS WILL TALK

September already?!!! Sorry I'm a bit late with this post. I'm still trying to finish up FREE TO LEARN and THE BIG DISCONNECT but I'm getting a lot out of all these books!

This month, I thought we could try a classic that I have always heard great things about:

August Read: THE BIG DISCONNECT by Catherine Steiner-Adair and Teresa H. Barker

Although I am not anti-technology, I would like to see a lot less of it in our lives. I believe that computers at school belong in a lab and not in a classroom. At this time, our 5-yr-old son does not use a computer or tablet and only gets to use educational apps on my smartphone on very rare occasions.  I care much more about him engaging with the world and in creative play.  Technology is fairly intuitive and I'm not worried about him being "left behind."  This book is brand new and I have really been looking forward to reading it.  I hope it offers lots of topics for discussion.

July Read: FREE TO LEARN

I finally got a copy of SIMPLICITY PARENTING and I'm reading it right now. So far, I am really really liking it. But I'm still behind!!! For those of you ready for a new read, our July title will be FREE TO LEARN: WHY UNLEASHING THE INSTINCT TO PLAY WILL MAKE OUR CHILDREN HAPPIER, MORE SELF-RELIANT, AND BETTER STUDENT FOR LIFE by Peter Gray.

This book focuses on the importance of play and "unschooling." I'm very curious to see what Gray has to say.  Do you have a favorite book from our Challenge yet?

June Read: Catch-up Month

I FINALLY got a copy of SIMPLICITY PARENTING from the library so I am behind.  Are you?  Let's give ourselves a month to catch up.  I am working on picking a title for July but I already have one for August.  It's a new book that comes out on August 13 called THE BIG DISCONNECT: PROTECTING CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IN THE DIGITAL AGE.  I can't wait to read it.

So, let's use June as a catch-up month for now. Check back later for July's title.  I will also work on catching up with all the reviews I am behind on!

May Read: SIMPLICITY PARENTING

I am still working on LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS and I am really enjoying it. At this time of year, it is an excellent reminder about the importance of getting outdoors and into nature.

For May, I thought we'd try a book I have been wanting to read for awhile now:

Can't wait to see what you think!!!

April Read: LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS

I hope you enjoyed the "light" selection for March. After reading BRINGING UP BEBE, I realized that I was already intuitively doing a lot of "French" parenting.  It made me really jealous reading about the superlative French creche system.  What I wouldn't have given for a state-sponsored childcare program like that!!!!

This month, we are moving away from focusing on education and success to a different aspect of child development: the importance of getting out in nature.

We'll be reading Louv's book on the importance of connecting children with nature. I'm excited to read this one. I've had it on my bookshelf for awhile and it seems appropriate to read it in Spring.

Hope you enjoy it!!!

Learning with Bloggers

I get some of my very best inspiration from bloggers.  I have been so thrilled with all the wonderful blogs I have found with quality at-home activities you can do with children.  I am not able to homeschool as I am currently the main breadwinner in the family but I try to find great enrichment activities to do with my son at home and on the weekends. I wanted to share a few of my very favorite bloggers with you:

1. ARTFUL PARENT
This wonderful blogger comes up with brilliant art activities that you can do at home.  She has some wonderful seasonal ezines that you can purchase (Spring is coming soon!) but will also be coming out with a book in April. I already have the book on order!!!

2. CRAFTY CROW
The Crafty Crow has some darling art activities for children.

3. IMAGINATION TREE
I love this blog!!! It is filled with Montessori-style activities that you can do at home with a few easy-to-find supplies. Especially good for 5 and under.

4. IMAGINE CHILDHOOD
This beautiful blog is filled with wonderful activities to get you outdoors and exploring nature.  They also have a wonderful book and store.

5. SEW LIBERATED
Sewing for kids!!! The GROWING UP SEW LIBERATED book is one of my favorites!!!

6. TINKERLAB--Art and Science activities for kids!!!

7. SOULE MAMA
Another wonderful blog (and books) with nature-based and Waldorf-style learning.

8. RED BIRD CRAFTS
This is a fairly new one for me.  I started reading it after I bought her book SHOW ME A STORY.  The emphasis here is on literacy.

9. WHIP UP
The home of one of my favorite ezines ACTION PACK!!! (I am even an affiliate I love it so much)  Filled with many wonderful science-based activities.

10. BIRD AND LITTLE BIRD
Home of another favorite ezine---ALPHABET GLUE. The emphasis here is on reading and literacy.

There are so many more out there and these are just a few of my favorites.  We are so lucky to have so much inspiration at our fingertips!!!

March Read for Parenting Book Challenge

I am running behind!!! Our first two books of the year have been so dense and filled with interesting information that it has been hard for me to complete them in one month. So, I'm still working on HOW CHILDREN SUCCEED.

I thought we could do something a little more light-hearted this month. I have already read this book so it will give me time to catch up:

While Druckerman's book is filled with anecdotal evidence about her experiences as an expat in Paris, I found it pretty entertaining and informative. I was surprised to learn that my husband and I were already doing many French parenting tricks on our own.  This light-hearted read will be great for Spring Break. 

February Read for the Parenting Book Challenge

I was a little late but I finally finished our January read:  TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL by Madeline Levine. I'll be posting a review soon but I will say now that it took me so long to read because I was taking notes.  Lots and lots of notes. What a great book!!!

For our February read, I thought I would continue on a similar subject with Paul Tough's HOW CHILDREN SUCCEED.

While I will have one main book that I will be focusing on each month, I will also be reading and reviewing other parenting/education books on the side.   Stay tuned!!!!

Raising a Reader--Birth to Toddler

I'm not sure how qualified I am to talk about reading with children but I thought I'd start sharing a few of my ideas, tips and favorite books to go along with my Parenting Book Challenge for this year.

When my son was about two years old, some out-of-town guests came to visit.  The little boy was the same age as my son and he was a little whirling dervish.  His energy was both infectious and overwhelming.  My son didn't know what to think about his energetic new friend and had the wisdom to withdraw to a corner when he felt overwhelmed and page through a book.  The mother was really surprised.  She couldn't believe Noodlebug would sit still with a book AND calmly turn paper pages without ripping them. "How did you get him to do that?!" she asked me.

The answer....."I don't know."

I started reading to Noodlebug when I brought him home from the hospital. It might feel a little strange to be reading to a newborn but I liked the idea of him hearing my voice.  Once he was able to grasp things and start sitting up, I started giving him board books.  I would sit him in my lap and read to him and say "turn page!" to signal him to turn the page. He got the idea pretty quickly.

Here are some of our favorites:

1. We adored the whole Karen Katz series of Lift-a-Flap books. 

 If you enjoy her books, she has versions for most holidays which adds to the fun.

2. John Schindel's BUSY books are delightful with their wonderful photographs and great vocab words:

Since we are cat people, we especially loved BUSY KITTIES although BUSY MONKEYS was also a favorite.

3. I adored Sandra Boynton as a child and love her board books which will entertain adults as well:

4.  An oldie but goodie:

There is a good reason why these have been around for so long.  And now you can get other editions like PAT THE CAT!



5. Once your little reader gets a little older and has more control, I highly recommend Matthew van Fleet's books:

 
 There are a whole bunch of them now!!! They are a little more advanced than board books with lots of moving parts and interactives.

6. I also recommend looking for classic children's picture books that come in both hardcover and board book editions. You can start your little one on the board book edition and then work your way up to the picture book.  So many great picture books are now available in board book format.

Of course, the most important thing is to read to your child.  By taking the time to do this, you are demonstrating the importance and value of reading.  It can get really difficult sometimes when a child wants to hear the same story fifteen times in a row but try to do it if you can.  They are learning the story, listening for words and identifying rhymes and patterns.  It may get old for you but not for them!!! Book with repetition, rhythm and rhyme always go over big!

I don't know when my son will start reading on his own and I'm not worried about it.  Right now, I'm just enjoying the experience of reading with him.  A few months ago, we started reading beginning reader chapter books together. He is 4.5 years old.  I can't wait to see what happens next!

Parenting Book Challenge Book #1

For our first selection of the 2013 Parenting Book Challenge, I will be reading Margaret Levine's TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL.  I encourage you to read along with me and send me suggestions for your own favorite parenting/education books throughout 2013. 

LBC 2013 Parenting Book Challenge

I wish I had a trumpet sound effect to use right now.

I have decided to try something new for 2013.  I am going to read (and review) at least one parenting/education book each month in 2013.  This will be a slight departure for me as I do non-fiction only sparingly and then only the most current books.  I want to find the very best inspiration out there to improve my parenting skills.  I hope you will join me.  Feel free to grab the graphic above.  I am still working out the details of the challenge.  I'm thinking I'll post the latest title at the beginning of each month and then wrap up at the end of the month with a review and/or discussion.

JANUARY:
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL by Madeline Leving

FEBRUARY:
HOW CHILDREN SUCCEED by Paul Tough

MARCH:
BRINGING UP BEBE by Pamela Druckerman

APRIL:
LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS by Richard Louv

MAY: 
SIMPLICITY PARENTING by Kim John Payne and Lisa Ross

JUNE:
No selection

JULY: 
FREE TO LEARN by Peter Gray

AUGUST:
THE BIG DISCONNECT by Catherine Steiner-Adair and Teresa H. Barker

SEPTEMBER
HOW TO TALK SO YOUR KIDS WILL LISTEN & LISTEN SO KIDS WILL TALK
by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish

OCTOBER
PLAYFUL LEARNING by Mariah Bruehl

NOVEMBER
RAISING SELF-RELIANT CHILDREN IN A SELF-INDULGENT WORLD by H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelson

DECEMBER
IT'S OK NOT TO SHARE by Heather Shumaker

Other potential titles:

POSITIVE DISCIPLINE by Jane Nelson
FREE RANGE KIDS by Lenore Skenazy
WRITE START by Jennifer Hallissy
RHYTHM OF FAMILY by Amanda Blake Soule
IMAGINE CHILDHOOD by Sarah Olmsted
NURTURESHOCK by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
A CHILD'S WORK by Vivian Gussin Paley
MIND IN THE MAKING by Ellen Galinksy

A little something about my parenting style.  I am the mother of a 4.5 yr old boy. We approach parenting with a hybrid style of both "crunchy" and conventional.  My son has attended Montessori preschools since he was 2 and we value a "whole child" approach to learning. I place a lot of emphasis on creativity, imagination and exploration at home.  We do not allow our son to use a computer/smartphone/tablet and we limit television to a maximum of 30 minutes per day. We eat mostly organic as a family and try very hard to focus on handmade and natural toys (and toys that don't require batteries).  We also practice positive discipline in our home. That being said, my son does have some conventional toys and he will be attending a traditional elementary school in the Fall.   I don't believe in standardized testing and will be watching my son's school experience closely to see how it goes.  I try to read a lot and gather as much information as I can and then take the best of what I find.

Find more of the reading challenge posts by clicking on the "parenting book challenge 2013" label under this post.