UEA, Here I Come!!!

Hi everyone,

I am going to share a booth with a friend at the UEA convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. We will be at booth 624. If you are planning on going to UEA, come and see me. It will be Thur., Oct. 14 and Fri., Oct. 15.

Wish me luck. I will return and report!!!

Doreese

Glowing Parent Teacher Conferences for "See abc's" Kids

Just had to tell you about two children who have been using "See abc's". They both just started Kindergarten and had their Parent Teacher Conferences this week. One child's teacher said she was doing so well in reading that she could be bumped up two levels! At a different school, the other child's teacher said he was doing so well in reading that she was going to get him started on AR reading (an advanced program). She said that they don't normally do that until the middle of the year! Way to go kids and your moms!!!

I know a lot of parents have the notion that if their child learns how to read before school, he/she will be too bored when they start school. All the kids I know of that have used "See abc's" before school have never been bored, because their teachers know their abilities and put them on books that keep them challenged and growing. Also, with these kids, they have developed a deeper love of reading because they can read more advanced books at an earlier age; books which are a lot more fun and interesting!

Doreese

Reading and Writing Suggestion Box

I was thinking today that each parent who goes through the process of teaching their child how to read or how to write comes upon their own little golden nuggets of ideas that either have helped you to help your child improve, helped you deal with working with your child better, have come across ways to add fun to the process, etc. Or, you have come across things that make you think, "I'll never approach it this way again!" Sharing these golden nuggets with each other will help all of us to have a better experience, as well as the children we work with. So, I'm suggesting a "See abc's Suggestion Box." Any suggestions are welcome - not just using "See abc's."

I'll start with a suggestion for encouraging your children to read when they don't want to. You've heard the old adage, "Money Talks." Well, two of my students were balking at reading. One little girl who just turned four, only wanted to read four words a day from the blending book. She reads these beginning words very well, but in her mind, she thinks it is too hard. So, I filled my pocket with pennies and nickels and told her for each word she read, she would earn a penny. Well, she read 15 words with no complaint at all! We discussed money and she chose to exchange five of her pennies for a nickel. My other student, a five-year old who has just began Kindergarten, has had trouble concentrating on reading the sentences in the "Imletteration!" book. I told her for every sentence that she read and followed along with her finger, she would earn a penny. She earned 10 pennies, and stayed much more focused on what she was doing! She too, exchanged five for a nickle. Both of these children were very excited to add their coins to their "Piggy Banks." With children this young, a penny is a huge deal and it is rewarding for them to be able to earn it.

If you have a "suggestion" you would like to share, or a "caution" to give us, go to our "Contact Us" box on our website and let us know. On occasion we will share them here on our blog.

Here at the end of September, school is well under way. I hope all is going well!

Doreese

"Calling All Grandmas!"

This post is directed towards grandmas. And, speaking of grandmas, I became a grandma again three weeks ago! There is nothing in this world like a precious, little newborn! One more child for me to help bring along the road of reading!

I've really had a lot of fun teaching my grandkids how to read, and they have loved doing it with me. Reading is our special time together. My daughters are very capable of teaching their own kids, but they haven't complained about me helping them out when I can!

I know kids aren't always cooperative little angels when it comes time to read with mom. That is when I would suggest enlisting the help of a grandma or grandma figure. Kids will do most things better for grandparents. If you don't have a grandparent nearby, maybe an elderly neighbor would enjoy helping to teach your child their alphabet. It would be good for them as well. Most of my students have just worked with their mothers as far as I know, and done great. But, with all the fun I have teaching my grandkids, I think other grandma's would love it too, and it can give you a little break if needed. You don't have to do it alone.

Doreese

"See abc's® Vowel Cheer"

We all know that vowels have the most important job in teaching children how to read. It's important that children understand this; that every single word must have at least one vowel in it. Many times that vowel isn't even heard, it is silent, but it still must be there: i.e., "bird," "earth."

To help kids remember the vowels, we teach them our "See abc's Vowel Cheer." Follow along with our short video. Two and three-year olds love to do the cheer even though they don't know the significance of the vowels yet. But, that's great. It will just be that much easier for them when they get to that point.

Aarrgh!!! I can't get my link to this video to work! But, it is really cute and it is the easiest way to learn the cheer, which is the EASIEST way to learn the vowels. It is posted on our "See abc's" Facebook page. Search for "See abc's Reading Program" on facebook, scroll down the page and you will find it. Become our fan on Facebook!

Doreese

You've Worked on the Alphabet; What About the Writing?

Wow! Summer is more than half over! So, you've been working hard trying to get your child prepared for school by learning their alphabet, but what about his/her handwriting? Here's a fun way for kids to learn how to write. It is different than anything out there. Kids get to learn how to write by drawing, which is a lot more fun than making random lines and circles. And, they get to do it with a magic finger! It's demonstrated here in yet another cute video; the child is cute and you will just have to put up with watching me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aeOya9AQb8

Doreese

Video of See abc's Alphabet Flash Cards

Hi everyone, or should I say, "Aloha!"

I'm back from an amazing trip to Hawaii where I went to Wakiki Beach, shops, and aquarium; the Dole Plantation, the Polynesian Cultural Center, snorkeling with brightly colored fish, went to Pearl Harbor and the Punch Bowl military cemetary, and the highlight - my niece's wedding! So much fun. Got many souveniers. I did really well not to slurge on myself until I saw the little seashell stand. Then I just went nuts! I love seashells. My favorite is the blowing Conch shell.

Came home, and the next day my husband and I moved our son out to Indiana to start 4 years of dental school. We spent a few days there and helped him set up housekeeping in his nice house. Got to see the fireworks and fireflies while back there. I LOVE fireflies. They are so cool. Wish we had them here in Utah. I could watch them all night!

Now it is back to reality and work. I've been trying to learn how to make and upload videos. Here is one of some kids ages 2-5 playing with the See abc's Alphabet Flash Cards. It will give you a few of the many fun ways you can use them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaI4QcWDozY

While you are at this video, you can click on subscribe to subscribe to our youtube channel, and you will be notified whenever I post a new video. Help us out by giving us some great reviews while you are at it! Thanks

Doreese