Pros: Focus on creating a pro-learning environment
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: Parents of preschool age children should read this book to be sure they create an environment conducive to learning and also to learn about school involvement.
adrienne10's Full Review: Lucy McCormick Calkins and Lydia Bellino - Raising...
I picked up Raising Lifelong Learners by Lucy Calkins on suggestion from some friends. This is a very good book. I suggest every parent read it anywhere in between their child's birth and beginning of formal schooling. Even if you homeschool, this book can be helpful.
The book is about 300 pages long with 12 chapters and 6 appendixes. The book itself is written by Ms. Calkins and the appendices are written by Ms. Bellino. The book starts with an introduction. The twelve chapters are: Talk: The Foundation of Literacy, Reading Aloud: An Apprenticeship in the Literate Life, Early Writing: Growing Young Authors, Early Reading: First Things First, Playing Well: Building Cities Out of Blocks and Finding Worlds in the Backyard, Helping Children Develop Good Work Habits: Hobbies, Projects, Chores, and the Lessons They Teach, Reading and the Middle Childhood Years, Writing and the Middle Childhood Years, Finding Our Way Through Today's Math, Helping Children Develop the Wide-Awake Curiosity of Scientists, Social Studies: People, Places, Dates and a Habit of Mind and Heart, A Lesson Without Words.
The Appendices include an introduction, How to Pick a Preschool or Kindergarten, What You Should Know about Your School's Curriculum, Reading: An Essential Part of Your Child's School Day, Testing and Assessment in Classrooms Today, Building a Partnership with Your Child's Teacher, and The Importance of Parent Involvement.
The authors use their personal experience in both their professional lives as educational specialists and as parents to contribute to this book. Having both a professional look mixed with a parental look was very helpful. The book is a bit of a dry read and it took me a little longer to get through than most parenting books. Having such a young child gives me a lot to look forward to in the realm of reading and academics. This book has also given me a lot of new perspectives on enriching my child's learning, even at this stage.
If your child is past third grade, this book will probably not be very interesting or helpful for you. For those with children younger than that, this is a must read on learning.
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