Category: News

Parents of school-aged children have probably heard the term “STEM” tossed around by teachers and students, but what does it mean? The short answer is that it stands for “science, technology, engineering, and math.” Teachers at our Atlanta private school have found that integrating these critical skills into the modern classroom is essential for equipping children to thrive in the workplace of the future. These four areas of focus develop critical thinking, entrepreneurism, and make learning hands-on and fun.

What makes science, technology, engineering, and math so crucial to the future generation?

STEM prepares children for the workplace of the future.

With more and more jobs becoming tech and engineering-based, children will need to enter the workplace with a strong foundation in these areas. Consequently, children who are able to secure such jobs are more likely to experience financial stability, which leads to overall economic growth.

STEM grows critical thinking skills.

STEM-based activities engage a child’s brain and keep the gears moving, building their critical thinking muscles, and teaching them how to problem solve.

STEM develops richer vocabulary and language skills.

Science, technology, engineering, and math each come with a unique set of vocabulary. Children who learn and are able to integrate STEM-based language into their word-bank will find it easier to catch onto more advanced topics and equations in the future. These skills also teach children how to communicate in an academic fashion, which will come in handy once they reach high school and college.

STEM promotes entrepreneurism.

Building these skills in children encourages them to originate and develop new ideas. Many of today’s most innovative companies and products were created by individuals who excelled in STEM-related areas. The sooner children can learn and use these skills, the better equipped they will be to take up the torch of innovation and contribute to future advancements.

STEM helps children excel in core subjects.

While it might go without saying that STEM-based activities will aid a child as they study math and science, these skills also engage the child’s mind in a way that helps them better understand each subject they encounter, from English to music, social studies to history.

STEM makes learning fun.

Because of the wide variety of methods used to teach STEM subjects, children will find that learning doesn’t just come from reading textbooks. The hands-on opportunities to grow these skills will appeal to every kind of learner, keeping children invested and actively engaged in their education.

STEM skills are critical skills.

But how can parents and teachers integrate science, technology, engineering, and math into a child’s everyday life in a fun and engaging way? Our Georgia private school teachers have found various hands-on methods to help develop these four skill areas, which students have come to enjoy and even look forward to.

Building Activities

Providing children with blocks, tracks, marble ramps, and other building materials is a great way to connect their minds to their hands, building practical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Loose items and materials are also necessary for STEM-based learning. Try giving your child access to the following:

• Scrap paper
• Glue
• Colored masking tape
• Child scissors
• Coloring supplies (crayons, markers, paints)
• Fabric
• Empty containers and boxes
• Paper towel/toilet paper rolls

Shapes

Helping children identify shapes is foundational to the aptitude required to succeed in math and engineering. Try giving them various objects that fit into each shape category, and encourage them to point out the shapes they notice daily.

Explorative Play

When it comes to STEM, both structured and unstructured play are critical for a well-rounded education. Though some activities should be done with a set of instructions for the student to follow, it is equally important to give children plenty of opportunities to explore. Give them a tub of Legos or some time outside, take a step back, and see what they come up with.

Open-Ended Questions

When engaging with children in STEM activities, ask plenty of open-ended questions. These could include, “What do you think will happen if you­­­ ____?” or “How could you make _____ happen?” These questions will go a long way in boosting a child’s critical thinking and communication skills.

Collaborative Play

While children must learn to think and solve problems for themselves, it is also important that they learn to work well and communicate with others, building and expanding on one another’s ideas. Collaborative play and group projects allow children to develop teamwork skills that will be invaluable as they transition from school to the workplace.

Final Thoughts

Developing STEM skills is critical for children to succeed in the classroom, the workplace, and beyond. Teachers and parents can give children the tools they need to develop their minds in these areas by intentionally integrating these methods and activities into a child’s everyday routine.

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If only helping children develop language and communication skills was as simple as ABC. Although it may be a complicated and, at times, trying process, our Atlanta private school teachers have found many tools and tricks that parents can use to help their children improve these critical skills.

Your child’s brain is incredibly complex and is in a constant state of taking in and processing information. Parents can use this to their advantage by intentionally seeking opportunities to model and encourage healthy communication.

So, what are the ABCs of developing stronger language skills? We’ll walk you through the best tips and tricks our Georgia private school teachers have to offer, from A, all the way to Z.

A. Active Listening

We might think we’re listening to our children when they speak to us, but it’s easy to let our body language say otherwise. Whenever possible, try to give your child your undivided attention when they are speaking to you. Maintain eye contact and give a short nod or an, “Oh, I see,” to let them know they have your focus.

B. Books and Stories

Studies upon studies have shown that reading and storytelling from infancy and beyond is one of the most effective ways to develop healthy communication skills and a robust vocabulary. Make reading a part of your daily routine and include a variety of books and stories.

C. Conversation

Take every opportunity to engage in rich, two-sided conversations with your child. The more comfortable your child is with conversing with adults, the faster their language skills will develop.

D. Daily Routine

Rather than trying these tricks here and there, try to make them a part of your daily routine. Consistency is crucial for developing healthy communication habits.

E. Environment

A child’s home environment should encourage and model mature and respectful communication. Remember that children pick up on everything, and we mean everything. Let your language light the path of healthy communication for your child.

F. Feelings

Children can sometimes struggle to express their feelings, leaving them feeling incompetent in their communication skills. Make feelings a regular part of conversation from an early age and teach them how to describe their feelings with their words.

G. Group Play

Nothing is quite as entertaining as watching a pair of toddlers communicate with one another in a language all their own. Although we might struggle to understand them at times, they never seem to have a problem understanding one another. Children benefit greatly from learning to communicate with their peers, so go ahead, schedule that play date!

H. Have Fun

Though it’s crucial to be intentional when it comes to communication, it is equally important that communication exercises don’t become a chore or a task to check off the list. Language can be taught in various ways, whether through stories, music, or games. The best way to teach these skills to your child is by making it fun.

I. Imaginative Play

There’s something so sweet about listening to your child in the other room, lost in play, having imaginary conversations with their toys, and completely enraptured in the world they’ve created. Unfortunately, screens are rapidly replacing imaginative play, and communication deficiency is becoming increasingly common. Provide your child with toys such as dolls, action figures, and costumes that will stimulate their imagination and keep them off the screens as much as possible.

J. Just Listen

If you’ve watched enough Bluey, you probably remember the episode where Bingo has to find her voice without Bluey’s help. This is an excellent lesson for parents as well. It can be so easy for parents to try to finish their child’s sentences in an attempt to move along conversations. However, this only causes children to rely on someone else to communicate for them. So, even when it tries your patience, allow your child to find their voice by simply listening.

K. Keep Trying

Some days it may seem like your child’s communication skills are developing in leaps and bounds, while others may feel like you drew the long chute in the game of Chutes and Ladders. The key to creating language habits that last is patience. If one technique doesn’t take, try another and return to it later.

L. Labeling

Get out the labeling machine or index cards and make labels the latest addition to your home decor. Label anything and everything your child will see regularly, from the lamp to the dishwasher.

M. Model Healthy Communication

Baby talk might seem cute, but speaking to your child in this way can hinder their brain from developing as it should. Instead, give their brain the challenge it craves by allowing them to hear healthy and mature communication.

N. Narration

Narrating is a great way to encourage and develop early communication, specifically with toddlers. Explain to your child what you’re doing. For example, you can say,“Right now I’m making dinner. First we need to preheat the oven.” Or, narrate your child’s activities, e.g., “You’re coloring a picture with crayons.”

O. Open-Ended Question

Try to avoid questions that are easily answered with a “yes” or “no” and opt instead for questions that encourage your child to elaborate.

P. Patience

It’s no secret that parenting requires a lot of patience. Teaching your child to communicate is no different. Remember that your child’s brain is constantly working to take in and process information, and that’s a lot of work. Celebrate the improvements you do see and when you meet a hiccup, put that patience into practice and try, try again.

Q. Quality Time

Spending uninterrupted, quality time with your child is one of the best ways to help them to develop healthy communication skills. It’s hard for children to learn proper communication from grown-ups who are often distracted by phones, so try to set aside technology-free time each day to spend time with your child.

R. Rhyme

Teaching your child to recognize rhyming words and sounds is incredibly beneficial to brain and language development. Teach them nursery rhymes, read some books by Dr. Seuss, or make up rhymes in the car on your way to school.

S. Sing

Singing and music are crucial to childhood development in a variety of ways. Songs can help children memorize information, boost their mood, broaden their vocabulary, and improve their communication skills.

T. Technology

The language resources available to today’s parents are seemingly endless, thanks to modern technology. When used in moderation, reading and language apps can be a fun and useful tool.

U. Use Your Imagination

Get silly, get wild, and get creative. No one knows your child better than you. You know what excites them and how they learn best, so develop language games that are unique to your child.

V. Visual Aid

Grab a set of flashcards, a chart, or some picture books and play a game of point and read.

W. Word Association

Show your child how to make connections between words and their meanings, between similar words, and between contrasting words.

X. (e)Xploration

Children are born explorers. Luckily, language can be discovered through a wide variety of real-world experiences. Get outside, book a trip, or visit a museum and watch your child soak up language skills like a sponge.

Y. You Know Your Child Best

It can be easy to fixate on what may be the developmental norm for most children, which can often lead to discouragement. Try to focus on the progress your child is making and remember that they are unique. While some things may take more work, they also have strengths in areas that others do not. It’s great to keep those developmental milestones in mind, but don’t focus so much on those that you miss the progress your child is making.

Z. Zeal for Language

Even as adults, there is so much more that we can learn about language and communication. There’s always more to discover and explore. There’s always room to grow. That’s what makes language so fun. Remind your child that just as they are learning and improving, so are you. Language is a journey that you can take together. By using these tips and tricks to keep learning fun and tailored to your child, you’ll help them develop a love for communication that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Healthy communication between parents and teachers is critical to helping your child succeed and thrive in school. However, these waters can be challenging to navigate. Misunderstandings and miscommunication are just two of the many pitfalls parents and teachers can encounter as they seek to interact. As you prepare for the upcoming school year, developing a game plan for parent-teacher communication may be helpful. Here in Atlanta, our private elementary school teachers have some tips that will aid in building stronger communication and partnerships between parents and teachers. If you want to start the school year off well, try implementing these strategies

1. Start strong.

Introduce yourself to your child’s new teacher before the first day of school. A quick phone call can go a long way in setting the tone for the rest of the year and could also be an excellent opportunity for your child to become a little more comfortable with their new teacher. Try to keep the conversation short and sweet, and aim to start things off on a positive note.

2. Initiate regular, in-person contact.

Although daily drop-off and pick-up times can seem rushed and don’t allow for much interaction with your child’s teacher, try to be intentional about making opportunities for in-person contact. This might mean planning to arrive at school a few minutes early so you can walk your child to their classroom and greet the teacher. Or, it could mean checking in with the teacher at pick-up to inquire about how your student’s day went. Though these efforts may seem small, interacting with your child’s teacher in person will help build the bridge to healthier communication.

3. Communicate with your child.

Parent-teacher communication can’t reach its full potential without strong parent-student communication. Talk with your child about what goes on inside the classroom. Ask them about their day and try to reach beyond an ‘It was good’ response. Your child should know that should they encounter a problem at school, they can come to you about it right away. This can help eliminate the shock of learning about big issues from their teacher after the fact, or once behavior or disruptions reach a certain point.

4. Handle serious issues by phone.

When it comes to difficult situations, a lot can be lost or misunderstood when communicating through email. A phone call can help both parties avoid miscommunication as you seek to understand the situation entirely. Rather than waiting on replies, you’ll be able to come to a decision or understanding promptly, ensuring that you and your child’s teacher are on the same page.

5. Respect the teacher’s time.

Teachers put in long hours at school and home, and like the rest of us, they sometimes need a break. Don’t assume that your child’s teacher is available to communicate 24/7. Instead, respect their time and try not to feel frustrated if you reach out and don’t get a response on an evening or weekend. If the matter is urgent, a phone call shortly after school may be the best course of action.

Additionally, if you have a meeting or phone call with your child’s teacher, try to keep it short and concise. With papers to grade, lessons to plan, and emails to answer, they’ll appreciate your respecting their time by trying not to take up too much of it.

6. Speak with the teacher before going to the principal.

If an issue arises and you are unhappy with the way it was handled by your child’s teacher, seek to work it out with them before going straight to the top. Jumping the chain of command indicates an unwillingness to hear the teacher out, which is what the principal of any independent school will likely encourage you to do anyway. If, after discussing things with your child’s teacher, things still are not resolved, a meeting with the principal may be in order.

7. Get involved.

Getting involved is one of the best ways to encourage healthy communication between you and your child’s teacher. You can volunteer for field trips or help out in the classroom if your schedule permits. If not, ask your child’s teacher for other ways that you might be able to stay involved in your child’s school life.

Bonus Tip: Remember the Goal

Remember that at the end of the day, you and the teacher both want what is best for your child. You want your child to grow and thrive in the classroom, and so do they! When parents and teachers can communicate in a healthy and positive manner, your child will reap the rewards both at school and at home.

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Effective communication between parents and teachers is vital for the success and well-being of your child in school. However, navigating these waters can be challenging, with misunderstandings and miscommunication being potential pitfalls. As you gear up for the approaching school year, devising a strategic plan for parent-teacher communication becomes crucial. Private elementary school teachers in Atlanta offer valuable insights to enhance communication and partnerships between parents and teachers.

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It’s hard to believe the new school year is already upon us. As a season of new teachers, new classrooms, and new classmates approaches, kids and parents alike can begin to feel that school year anxiety creeping in. For some children, it’s an exciting time. For others, the fear surrounding these changes can be paralyzing.

How can parents help their children navigate these feelings and empower them to overcome them? Our Atlanta elementary school teachers have some valuable and practical suggestions:

1. Create a safe and supportive home base.

It’s crucial for your child to know that, despite the changes going on in their lives, home is safe and constant. Make sure your home is a place where open conversations about feelings happen often. Even though adults can also struggle with stress and anxiety, it can be difficult for children to feel that the adults in their lives are in a constant state of anxiety. They want to know that when things in the outside world seem out of control or scary, home is a safe harbor for them to return to.

2. Respect their feelings.

As parents, it can be easy to tell our children, “It’s going to be okay,” and attempt to move on. While there is nothing wrong with reassuring them, parents should be careful not to minimize or brush past the child’s feelings. Try to ask them non-leading questions about how they are feeling and why they might feel that way, then validate their feelings and save the reassuring for the end of the conversation. Also talk with your child about the situations they might encounter once school begins. Address the feelings they might feel and together decide on ways that they can respond well to the situation without letting anxiety take control.

3. Don’t avoid stressors.

While it’s important to gauge situations carefully before sending children into them, some things must be faced rather than avoided forever. School is one of those things. Rather than going from zero to sixty, try to ease your child into things by talking about their new teacher and classmates. Letting your child meet or speak with their new teacher before the first day of school might be helpful, and a classroom tour could also allow your child to better picture what their new reality will look like. Private elementary school teachers and staff typically offer greater individualized attention to students, so take advantage of that opportunity to have you and your child start building a relationship with them before school starts.

4. Model healthy stress responses.

First and foremost, children learn how to respond to stress from how they see it modeled in the home. When you’re stressed about that upcoming work project, they can tell. When you’re stressed about the in-laws coming to visit, they can tell. Rather than trying to minimize and hide stress indicators from your children, try to use these everyday situations as an opportunity to show your children that stress and anxiety are, unfortunately, a normal part of life. Be intentional about how you handle your own stress so your child can pick up on healthy responses to these feelings.

5. Practice coping strategies.

There are so many excellent coping skills that children can employ when they feel anxiety creeping in. Breathing exercises are a great way to calm the body physically. Other strategies include:

• Visualizing a favorite place
• Thinking about a favorite thing
• Drinking cold water
• Squeezing something
• Naming animals alphabetically

The sooner you can begin teaching these to your child, the more habitual they’ll become.

Bonus Tip: Some children who struggle with separation anxiety do well with a transitional object. While they may not be able to bring their favorite teddy bear to school, there are ways that you can get creative with this method. Try giving your child a special necklace and tell them to hug it with their fingers whenever they find themselves missing you.

6. Establish a consistent routine.

We cannot stress enough the importance of a stable, consistent routine, especially for children who struggle with feelings of anxiety. Often these feelings arise out of a sense that they have no control over their lives and surroundings. This can be exacerbated when significant changes come along, such as the beginning of a new school year. Although you can’t control the classroom routine, you can do your best to create a consistent home routine. This schedule could include a set bedtime and wake-up time, a daily after-school snack, and consistent morning and evening routines.

7. Ensure they get plenty of rest.

A lack of rest is one of the biggest challenges for children facing anxiety. When bodies are tired and rundown, small issues can seem so much bigger. Additionally, when brains are focused on running with limited battery power, they’re less likely to employ coping mechanisms to regulate feelings of stress and anxiety. Ensuring your child gets plenty of uninterrupted rest is crucial to helping them overcome school year anxiety.

8. Build positive social relationships.

If your child feels nervous about the social interactions that accompany a new school year, see if you can coordinate a playdate or park day with some of the other children in your child’s class. It’s best to start small to avoid overwhelming your child, so begin with one or two other children. Knowing they’ll have a friend or two in the classroom is a great way to help your child ease their anxiety and feel excited about returning to school.

9. Celebrate achievements.

When you finally get through the morning drop-off without tears, celebrate! When your child communicates to you that they were able to use a coping strategy to ease feelings of anxiety, celebrate! Whatever the achievement, and no matter how small it may seem, it’s a step in the right direction. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in building your child’s confidence and inspiring them to keep up the good work.

School year anxiety can sometimes seem like a massive hurdle for your child, but we believe that with the intentional integration of these strategies, every child can learn to thrive in the classroom. Speak with your child’s teacher about additional strategies that can be implemented in the classroom and at home to ensure a successful and enjoyable school year for everyone.

Christian education, like most public school alternatives, has gained its fair share of stereotypes and misconceptions over the years.

“It’s like Sunday School five days a week, right?”

Not quite.

We understand that, as parents, you want to ensure your children receive a high-quality education. Many parents have come to our Atlanta private school skeptical and full of questions regarding Christian education. They’ve heard the concerns from well-intended family members or friends who believe public school is the best and only way to give your children a good education.

So before making such an impactful decision, you want to determine whether or not there is any substance to those claims and concerns.

We’ve spoken with our Georgia private school teachers and parents about the most popular myths surrounding Christian education and are here to address five of the biggest misconceptions.

Myth #1: Students in a Christian school only study the Bible or Bible-based curriculum.

We believe that the Bible should be an essential part of each believer’s daily life, so it’s no surprise that we find it a crucial part of education as well. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (ESV).

However, the Bible is only one among many elements that make up a well-rounded education. Christian schools are still required to follow state education standards. Much of the curriculum we use is the same that you would find in a public school classroom. But when paired with a Christian perspective, students can combine biblical wisdom with textbook knowledge.

Myth #2: Students who attend Christian schools are more isolated and have less fun than their public school peers.

The average private school class size may be smaller than that of a public school, but this is an advantage in more cases than not. While students can still connect with a diverse group of peers, it’s less likely for them to get lost in the crowd and overlooked. We find that students in a private school setting develop stronger friendships that last a lifetime.

Additionally, students can engage in safe, age-appropriate activities. While no school can completely control each individual’s choices, students at a private school are less likely to engage in dangerous activities such as sex, alcohol, and drugs. A smaller student body allows faculty to build stronger connections with each student and be on the lookout for concerning behavior.

Does this mean that students in Christian schools live rigid lives void of fun? Absolutely not! Christian schools encourage the right kind of fun–safe, uplifting, and inclusive fun. Through extracurricular activities, field trips, and groups, students are given plenty of opportunities to build enjoyable, meaningful relationships with their peers.

Myth #3: Christian education is unaffordable and only for rich people.

We understand that, compared with public education, tuition costs for private schools can seem insurmountable. However, most private schools offer scholarships that can be put toward your tuition, and we firmly believe a quality, faith-based education is worth the investment. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” We encourage families looking into private education to commit themselves to prayerfully seeking the Lord for guidance and provision.

Myth #4: Christian schools only create an over-religious life, eventually driving students away from the faith.

We’ve all seen it happen: despite being brought up in a Christian home, going to church every Sunday, and attending a Christian academy, so many students go off to college and suddenly walk away from the faith. It’s a story that is far too common among young people today, and many wonder if it might be the result of “too much” Jesus. Did they feel suffocated by religion? Did they feel that the standards were too far out of reach to live up to? These are valid questions.

However, we firmly believe that the answer to combatting the lies that the world will bombard students with is not “less” Jesus. Rather, Romans 12:2 tells us that the way to avoid conforming to the world is through a transformation that comes by the “renewal of your mind” (ESV). This transformation occurs when believers are saturated with biblical truth and through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The best way to equip students to stand firm in their faith is by helping them to develop a solid Biblical worldview. When students know and can articulate what they believe and why they believe it, it’s much harder for the world to convince them otherwise. By placing your child in a Christian school that understands the importance of a Biblical worldview, you’re helping your student grow in the knowledge and wisdom needed to form that foundation.

Myth #5: Christian schools take the Christians out of the public school system.

During their formative years, we believe that children are the mission field, not the missionaries. While many argue that their children should be lights in the public school system, it’s important to remember that Jesus’ desire for children differed from his commission to mature believers. While he instructed his disciples to “go” (Matthew 28:19), he told the little children to “come” (Matthew 19:14).

Perhaps instead of asking where the light in the public schools will go without Christian students, we should first ask where the light in our own children will go when immersed in such an anti-Christian environment and saturated with vehemently anti-Biblical worldviews. 1 Corinthians 15:33 cautions us, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (ESV). If this warning applies to mature, adult believers, how much more careful should we be with our children?

We agree that the public school system desperately needs the love of Jesus. But is that the job of young children who are still in the process of forming their own worldview? It is our prayer that God would call wise, mature believers to teach in the public school system and carry the torch of Christ there.

Choosing where your child will spend 35 hours each week is a huge decision. Because you want what is best for your child, you want to make sure your decision is well-informed. And while there is no one-size-fits-all approach for each child’s education, we believe that a Christian education is one of the best ways to help your children build the foundation they need to live as salt and light and to grow in both knowledge and wisdom.

What do Rory Gilmore, Belle, and Matilda Wormwood have in common? One look at that list and you probably guessed it: they’re bookworms. We love it when our favorite characters show just how exhilarating reading can be. Don’t you wish you could find a way to ignite that same spark in your child?

Our Atlanta private school teachers have found that many parents today feel especially discouraged when it comes to stimulating healthy and lasting reading habits in their children, especially when technology seems to hinder more than it helps. Let’s face it: most kids these days, if asked, would probably rather settle in for an episode of their favorite show than with a good book.

What’s a parent to do?

These 12 tips are an excellent way to help children develop good reading habits and, in turn, inspire them to be lovers of reading.

1. Aim for at least one read-aloud a day.

Making reading a part of your daily routine at home is the first step in building healthy reading habits. Begin by setting aside time each day to read to your child, whether after school or before bed. Modeling not only the act of reading itself but tone of voice, character voices, and engaging dynamics helps your child understand how to interpret the emotion behind the words on the page.

2. Become regulars at your local library.

Don’t you wish your library had those sliding ladders so that you could sing your way down the rows, favorite book in hand in that signature Beauty and the Beast fashion? So do we. But even without sliding ladders, libraries can still be fun for your children! If there’s one place that is sure to get your kids excited about books, it’s your local library. Here the possibilities are endless. And unlike Belle’s rather limited selection, they’ll never run out of new books to read.

Libraries are also a great place to participate in public storytimes, book-related craft days, and other activities that are sure to inspire your young readers.

3. Let them peruse and choose.

Whether you’re at the library, the bookstore, or the bookshelf at home, it’s important to give your child the freedom to pick out a book sometimes. Sure, you might have read about a thousand books about tractors, but allowing your child to choose books based on their interests is another way to keep that spark alive.

4. Read without technology.

While there are definitely some tremendous tech-based resources out there for reading development, it is crucial to help your child appreciate reading the good old-fashioned way. Try to use technology as an occasional filler and last resort rather than a regular part of their reading habits.

In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Tiffany Munzer of Mott Children’s Hospital notes, “there’s research that suggests that a lot of what you find in the most popular apps have all these visually salient features which distracts from the core content and makes it harder for kids to glean the content, harder for parents to have really rich dialogue.”

An international study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that students who read more paper books scored considerably higher on a reading retention test than students who rarely read physical books. Essentially, reading on paper rather than on a screen improves comprehension and retention.

5. Set an example.

As with most good habits, one of the best ways to nurture a love of reading in your child is to lead by example. Let them see you completely engrossed in a good book. Share something you found exciting about the book you’re reading. Let your passion be contagious and they’re sure to catch the book bug!

6. Create a cozy reading space.

Maybe you have a Pinterest board of picture-perfect reading spaces just waiting to inspire your own DIY nook, or maybe you do most of your reading in bed (until you doze off and drop the book on your face). Either way, creating a cozy, designated space for reading can be a fun way to inspire younger readers. Set aside a corner, fill it with pillows, and make a rule that it’s only for reading. Children will jump at the opportunity to use this exclusive space (and chances are, you will, too). It doesn’t need to be Pinterest-worthy, just make it inviting.

7. Read on repeat.

We all have that one book that we could quote with our eyes closed because our children begged for it to be read over and over again. As children become more familiar with a book, they can begin to follow along with the words on the page. They’ll also begin to look for things they might have missed when reading it previously, which is a great way to build their reading observation skills.

8. Read as you go.

Sure, when we think of reading, it’s natural for books to go hand-in-hand, but daily life is full of other opportunities to hone this skill as well. Try having your child read road and traffic signs on the way to school or help you read the recipe out of a cookbook while you’re making dinner. Helping children become accustomed to reading as part of everyday life will hone their abilities to comprehend the world around them.

9. Write notes.

Our Georgia private school teachers love seeing the joy on a child’s face when they find a surprise note from mom in their lunchbox. Writing short letters to your child is not only a great way to remind them that you’re thinking of them, but it’s also another creative way to sharpen those reading skills. Children with more exposure to various handwriting styles learn better reading comprehension. Plus, it’ll make their day.

10. Grow your own library.

Is there such a thing as owning too many books? We don’t think so. Let your child build their own in-home library full of their favorite books. Looking for a birthday gift? Get a book. Trying to find a non-junky souvenir for your child to bring home from vacation? Let her pick out a book about that place. Children tend to develop better reading habits when they have access to a wide array of books in the home, so this is one thing worth collecting.

11. Set reading goals.

Maybe you’ve found that the “1000 books in a year” challenge started out great in January, lost a bit of steam in February, and fell completely off the radar by March. You’re not alone. While a reading goal is a great incentive to keep your children reading, it’s sometimes best to start with smaller, more manageable goals. Try setting a weekly reading goal instead. Or, offer an incentive when they’ve read a certain number of pages. When children can feel the accomplishment of meeting a goal, they’re more likely to continue and increase their efforts.

12. Do your research.

One of the best things you can do to help your child grow as a reader is to educate yourself on how children learn to read. Talk to their teacher about ways that you can further their learning at home. Listen to a podcast from a professional in the field. Knowing which techniques do and do not work is crucial to helping your little readers thrive.

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Healthy reading habits are a gift that will keep on giving for the rest of your child’s life. She may or may not be the next Rory Gilmore, but employing these strategies will help your child develop an appreciation–and maybe even passion–for reading that will enable them to retain and comprehend material on a whole new level.

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