Want some tips on how what you can do with your child at home to help build their reading fluency? Here are three easy things you can do with your child at home:

1. Alternate reading pages with your child. Take turns reading; your child reads a page, then you read a page. It is so helpful for children to hear adults read out loud. This helps model how a good reader sounds as well with efficiency of time.

2. Echo read with your child. You read a line and have your child repeat the line back to you out loud.

3. Read with them. As your child is reading their book, read something as well. Children seeing their parents read really promotes and fosters a love of reading.

Another great lesson from Dr. Fay with Love and Logic.

Responding to Bad Grades

Billy's mother had committed the unthinkable sin of saying "no" to his request for a slingshot. Shortly after his pleading and whining failed, Billy switched to a new tactic.

It was time to study his spelling words and he refused. "I'm not studying! I don't care. I hope I get an F. I hope I get all F's forever!"

Mom was tempted to argue, but she took care of herself. In the process, she reminded herself that his grades are his grades…not hers:

Whose problem is this? HIS. What will probably happen if he doesn't study? He may do poorly on HIS test tomorrow.

Instead of fighting, she empathized, "Sounds like you're upset," and walked into the kitchen.

Before school the next morning, her beloved Billy asked her, "Are you ready for some F's?" Mom just smiled and answered, "I'll love you whatever grades you decide to earn."

Billy blew his spelling test.

When his mother discovered the gory grade, she got a slightly sad look on her face - not the crazed enraged one Billy hoped for. Then she asked him how he felt about HIS grade.

"I don't know. Not good, I guess."

Billy's attempt to manipulate and punish Mom had failed. He tried his best to hook her into his problems, but she dodged the bullet with a nice dose of empathy.

Wise parents remember that the more upset they get over their children's grades, the less likely that their kids will begin to get better ones.

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible.
Dr. Charles Fay