Bal Swan

Question: I would like to get my daughter enrolled in a preschool starting in January. I'm thinking two days a week for an hour or two a day.  I'm not looking for a daycare - I want a structured preschool for a decent price. Any recommendations?

Response: A few years ago I sent my daughter to the Bal Swan preschool in Broomfield. We did the MWF half day preschool. She loved it and we had a great experience with the people there.  Their website is: http://www.balswan.org/balswan/school.nsf    10/09

Teach Your Child To Read

If any of you have preschoolers working on learning how to read, this book has been a lifesaver! A friend of mine recommended it to me and I am so grateful I bought it.  I know there are plenty of reading programs out there, but here’s why I like this one:

First of all, I love that this book assumes that the parent knows nothing about teaching a child to read.  Because honestly, I know NOTHING about teaching a child to read!!  Knowing how to read and trying to pass that knowledge on to a child are two totally separate things as far as I’m concerned.  This book actually gives you a script to follow for each lesson.  It makes it so easy to deal with and the best part: your child has no clue that you’re just reading what’s written!  It sounds totally natural and is very simple to follow. 

Secondly, I love that there are different sections to each lesson.  Some of the other reading programs I’ve looked at just drill phonics - that’s pretty boring for a 4 year old!  The lessons here start with phonics, but only two or three letters per lesson.  New sounds are introduced one at a time throughout the book.  Then the rest of the lesson focuses on hearing sounds, saying them fast and slow, rhyming and then, eventually, words and stories.  The lessons progress naturally and the script helps you focus on what’s important.  Not only that, but this book does a really great job of teaching all of the inconsistencies in the English language.  One lesson will focus on “er” or “ing” instead of just a single letter. 

Lastly, as your child gets better at reading, the lessons start including stories.  This is my sons favorite part by far.  He loves looking at the picture and trying to guess what the story will be about.  And the stories aren’t boring!  There’s also a section at the end of each story that helps you focus on reading comprehension.  That, for me, is the most important thing about learning to read.  I want my kids to remember and understand what they’re reading! 

To see more, check out their website: www.startreading.com.  There are testimonials and links to the research supporting the program.  You can usually find this on Amazon for under $20.  8/11