LeapFrog, the educational toys manufacturer, has heard educators’ requests for more learning-based activities. Link to Lessons is the new website that offers 6,000 standards-based activities to support existing LeapFrog School products. It allows teachers to design lesson plans at school or home, and provides an online community with other educators. Click here for details.

1. “Ask what material is being presented in the classroom, then reinforce that material,” she says. “For example, if your children have vocabulary or “sight” words that they’re learning, point them out at home. Label objects so children can associate the appropriate spelling word with that item.”

2. “Get to know your school or public librarian. He or she can help you find books that are appropriate for your child’s reading level.”

3. “Check out your child’s teacher’s web site, if there is one. A lot of communication is available to parents online.”

4. The last tip is probably the most obvious. “Make it a point,” says Trofort. Communicating with your child’s teacher, and helping your child become a great reader, are things that you have to make a priority. By doing so, you could be helping your little one develop a lifelong love of books!

At Chipper Kids, we focus on making reading fun, but many children are learning the fundamentals of reading in not one, but two languages. Could a bilingual education help your child enjoy reading more? I recently asked Terra Trofort, Executive Director of Lingual Kids, LLC, to weigh in. Her company provides foreign language instruction (primarily Spanish) to young students. Trofort says that children who learn the principles of a secondary language often become better readers all around. Here’s the first of a two part interview:

I understand that Lingual Kids specializes in Spanish instruction. What’s unique about teaching Spanish compared to teaching another language?
Trofort: One thing I love about Spanish is that it’s phonetic. Once you learn the sounds, particularly the vowel sounds, you can look at practically any Spanish word and figure out how to pronounce it.

What if a parent knows only one language? How can they help?
Trofort: Read to your child! Even if you read to them in their primary language only, it often becomes easier for your child to learn a second language because they have a point of reference. They understand letters, they know that each letter has a sound, and they know that these letters and sounds create words (that have meaning). The child who reads often already has a grasp of the concept of language and how words work.

What can parents do to make reading time more meaningful?
Trofort: One good idea I’ve learned is to choose a book and focus on that one book for an entire week. It doesn’t have to be too long, but lengthy enough to have a good story line. Throughout the week, ask questions about the story. This helps your child build up their comprehension as they remember the story from one night to the next. It really helps you connect with your child as you’re helping them read.

Tomorrow, Terra will share her ideas for how time-pressed parents can increase parent/teacher communication.