Articles by Guest Post
We can explicitly create families, schools, libraries and communities that embrace the process of communication and relationship building. Understanding the needs and intentions of neurodiverse group members is important, including why neurodiverse people may respond in particular ways.
Children must engage routinely in the challenging tasks of mastering foundational phonological skills. For children struggling to learn to read, this learning can look and feel very different from their peers. A child who displays avoidant behaviors about books may be a dyslexic child with unmet learning needs.
Readers of all ages can relate to the appeal of “curling up with a good book.” More than just a cozy idiom, the expression reminds us that comfort and surroundings shape the reading experience. Finding a space to read where one feels secure and at ease builds positive associations with the act, while fostering a sense of belonging.
CLiF presenter Simon Brooks is an award-winning British storyteller living in New Hampshire. He combines his passion for children’s literature and folklore to create fun programs, workshops, and keynotes for both children and adults. Visit him online at SimonBrooksStoryteller.com. As a CLiF presenter, I try to read as many of the books CLiF offers kids as … Continued
Sometimes I do school and community programs. Some of my books feature newcomer kids. But mostly it was because I was friends with Sara Lesley Warner (@saralesleyarnold – Sara’s pen name). Sara’s a kidlit writer and media specialist at Henry Wilson School, Manchester, NH. So it was Sara who invited me to present with her on the … Continued
Picture this: A young girl crosses her arms and scowls when things don’t go her way. She’s mad because she can’t control what’s happening in her life. In another scenario, a little boy hides, throws his toys, and cries when he is sad. These sound like everyday situations–and they are–but when children arrive at school holding on to big feelings like these, it makes learning and socializing difficult.
As adults, it can seem as though discussions about climate change are ubiquitous, yet it is not a given that children will always receive a reliable education about it in their formal schooling. Indeed, as one of the prevalent concerns of contemporary times, it is vital parents take responsibility for broaching the issue early on. … Continued
Reading is one of the most important skills that help a child develop. However, as many parents know, helping children learn to read is not an easy task. But if you approach this issue creatively, you may be surprised to find out that it takes a few games to make this process simple and fun. … Continued
I was that kid on the playground who always had a book in my hands. I was excited to do elaborate book reports and talk about the books we read and often disappointed by my classmates’ disinterest. I got teased for being a dork. This made me think I should be ashamed of doing the … Continued
Remote learning and homeschooling are nothing new. But, they have become more popular over the last year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 2021, 4.5-5 million children were being homeschooled in the U.S. For children with disabilities, home education provides many benefits. Some of the biggest pros include providing the necessary accommodations … Continued
Living with a mental illness can be tough enough when you’re an adult. As a child, the experience can be filled with uncertainty and confusion. They’re going through the growth and self-discovery that other kids are, with the added challenges of their neuroatypical condition. This is why it is so important that they have the … Continued
Literacy is one of the most important abilities we can pass on to children. This is not just vital from a technical life skills perspective, either. Reading, writing, and communications skills open us all up to a diverse and rich world. They help us to connect more deeply with one another and better understand the … Continued
Racism isn’t something any person is born with. It’s something that is taught. Unfortunately, it is often taught by actions, rather than words. We live in a society where it’s easy for kids to learn about racism very early on, so it’s important to be honest and open about what it is, what it means, … Continued
You might be tempted to dismiss outbursts and temper tantrums as “kids being kids,” and while emotional reactions such as crying, frustration, hunger, and pain are normal, your child never learning how to healthily manage their emotions is not. Children aren’t born knowing how to cope with their feelings, and the adults in their lives … Continued
CLiF Note: Susan Elliot and our friends at P.E.O. International recently gave a presentation on CLiF’s work to their group and collected new books and donations for low-income, at-risk, and rural kids. Consider giving or hosting a CLiF team member to give a short presentation what CLiF makes possible for kids to your club or … Continued
If you’ve ever had to Google “how can I write my essay,” you’d agree that learning the essential aspects of language (writing and reading) can be exhausting. For children, it can be a long, boring journey that they don’t want to be a part of. It’s not even any less exhausting for parents and teachers. … Continued
Image Source: Unsplash Now that fall is officially upon us, children have started the school year, but thanks to COVID-19, it looks a little different. Schools across the country have taken different approaches when it comes to re-opening. Some states have allowed their schools to re-open in person while others are doing solely virtual learning … Continued
Writing can be a miraculous activity that thrills both authors and readers from all over the world. Almost everyone starts writing at one point in life because somehow it just feels natural to express your thoughts and feelings in the textual form. But not everyone is capable of writing uniquely. It takes a genuine master … Continued
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.