Learn more about helping your child become a better reader.
How to Prepare Your Child For a Different School Year
Is your child feeling nervous about the new school year? Whether your child is going back to school in person, or they will be engaging in non-traditional instruction for the first part of the school year, school will likely feel very different. It is important that...
3 Things to Do Now to Prepare for Going Back to School
Are you ready for your kids to head back to school? It is almost that time! Back-to-school time can be stressful for everyone involved. It may seem like there's not much to do to prepare (beyond the usual school supply shopping) but there are definitely things you can...
The #1 Thing Parents Can Do to Prepare for Back-to-School
No one knows your child like you do. As their parent, you likely have plenty of insight as to what their strengths and weaknesses are. We recently talked about two things you can help your child do to ensure they start the year off on the right foot. But the best...
Why Your Child Can’t Skip Their Reading Tonight
We’re sure you’ve heard it before—your child should be reading every day. But why? How much? It’s simple. We must be able to read to learn independently. Reading is required for every class, whether online or in-person, so in order to succeed in school, we must be...
How to Ease the Back-to-School Transition With Routines
Back to school time can be tough. After months of a more relaxed routine (or lack of a routine at all) we’re all expected to get back into a more structured routine. Without preparation, jumping into a new routine can be stressful for all involved. But it doesn’t have...
Langsford Lecture Series: ADHD from a Pediatrician’s Perspective
It can be difficult to sort out the facts about ADHD, so we invited an expert in the field to speak to education professionals at Langsford. Steve Johnson, M.D., Ph.D., shared the latest evidence-based information about ADHD. It is not just being hyper or having a...
6 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Parent-Teacher Conference
Parent-teacher conferences are important and necessary for proper communication about your child’s school performance. Here are 6 tips for getting the most out of them. 1.) Be prepared to listen and take notes. You may need to ask for an explanation if you don’t...
5 Tips to Help Your Child Understand What They Read
Does your child struggle to understand what they read sometimes? There are several skills you can work on with your child at home to improve their reading comprehension. 1) Ask Questions Avoid questions that are direct recall and instead ask questions like “what do...
Staff Spotlight: Kara
For the next several weeks, we will be featuring one staff member a week, highlighting their hobbies and getting to know them a little better. This week, our featured staff member is Kara! We asked her a few questions. You can find all of her answers below. What is...
Staff Spotlight: Morgan
Every week, we are featuring a Langsford staff member. This week, we are featuring Morgan! We asked her a few questions, and here are her answers. What is your favorite book? All of them! haha-- but since I have to choose, I'll say To Kill a Mockingbird. Basically, I...
Staff Spotlight: Gemma
For the next several weeks here, we will be featuring one Langsford staff member a week, highlighting their hobbies and getting to know them a little better. This week, our featured staff member is Gemma! We asked her a few questions. You can find all of her answers...
Staff Spotlight: Rhonda
For the next several weeks, we will be featuring one staff member a week, highlighting their interests and getting to know them a little better. This week, our featured staff member is Rhonda! We asked her a few questions. You can find all of her answers below. What...
Staff Spotlight: Judy
For the next several weeks, we will be featuring one Langsford staff member a week, highlighting their interests and getting to know them a little better. This week, our featured staff member is Judy! We asked her a few questions. You can find all of her answers...
Staff Spotlight: Jenny
Every week, we are featuring a Langsford staff member. This week, we are featuring Jenny! We asked her a few questions, and here are her answers. What is your favorite book? Secret Life of Bees. What did you want to be when you were growing up? It changed a lot. Still...
Staff Spotlight: Katie
For the next several weeks, we will be featuring one staff member a week, highlighting their hobbies and getting to know them a little better. This week, our featured staff member is Katie! We asked her a few questions. You can find all her answers below. What is your...
5 Things to Do if Your Child Hates Reading
Does your child “hate” reading? Often, children who “hate” reading find it difficult, exhausting, and therefore unenjoyable. If your child is struggling with reading, it’s imperative that they receive explicit reading instruction so that reading becomes easier for...
Building Comprehension With Summer Fun!
Background knowledge is a crucial piece of the language comprehension process. Your child may be able to read a story perfectly fine, but unless they have learned about the context of the story previously, they may be confused by the content. Working on increasing...
Stop the Summer Slide!
How do you prevent the “summer slide”? Reading, reading, and more reading! When kids are engaged in reading during the summer, they are much better prepared for the school year ahead. Luckily, there are nearly endless opportunities to help keep your children motivated...
Langsford Lecture Series: Educational Evaluations
Have you ever been a bit confused when interpreting educational tests? What are the best practices? In a recent presentation, Stephen McCrocklin, Langsford's Executive Director, gave an overview of several educational evaluations that are commonly used by...
5 Easter Books for Young Readers
What better gift to receive in an Easter basket than a book? Here are 5 recommendations that will fit perfectly in your basket. Clifford's First Easter by Norman Bridwell From Amazon: In the tradition of Clifford's Happy Easter, an adorable lift-a-flap book...
4 Places to Donate Your Used Books
It’s finally Spring! Have you found some unused books during your spring cleaning? Maybe you’re just wanting some extra space for new books. Whatever your reason, here is a list of where you can donate your books so they can find a new, happy home. 1) Libraries...
How to Prepare for that Standardized Test!
Standardized tests play a big role in public schools, and many private schools as well. As a parent, here are some things you can do to help ensure standardized test success! 1.) Be prepared. Teachers will often send home information—schedules and plans for the day(s)...
Feel Lucky With These 5 Books
Are you feeling lucky yet? Check out these 5 books to help you feel the Luck of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day! Ten Lucky Leprechauns By Kathryn Heling From Amazon: Fiddle-de-fizz, 'tis magic, it is When leprechauns find each other. Count from one to ten as one...
Langsford Lecture Series: Maladaptive Daydreaming
If a child is often “in their own world” and routinely engages in repetitive movements, then they must have some form of Autism, right? Maybe not! If a parent or teacher describes a child as frequently off task because they constantly seem to be daydreaming, then they...
Celebrate Presidents Day With These Five Books
How will you celebrate the presidents of the past today? Here are some great children books that honor the legacies of past presidents and celebrate the role of the Commander in Chief. Clifford for President by Mark McVeigh From Amazon: Clifford is running for...
5 Books to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is almost here—are your Valentines ready to be given? Are you loaded up with candy? You’ve picked out a great book to celebrate with, right? If not, here are some fun books to help you celebrate! Pete the Cat's Valentine's Day is Cool By Kimberly and...
5 Questions to Ask Kids About What They’ve Read
Get your kids really thinking about what they read with these 5 questions— Answers can’t just be “yes or no”! 1. If you could give the book another title, what would it be? 2. Which characters would you like to meet in real life? 3. What do you wish was different...
3 Ways to Practice Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions
As children get older, it becomes increasingly important that they know how to make inferences and draw conclusions. Luckily, there are many great ways to practice these skills and have fun at the same time! Here are some of our favorites. 1. Play 20 Questions Most of...
New Year’s Reading Resolutions
As we enter the new year, many of us like to set New Year's Resolutions or goals we’d like to accomplish during the new year. Why not set some reading resolutions? Having a goal will help keep the momentum of the beginning of the school year going and push kids to...
5 Stocking Stuffers That Build Reading Skills
There are some great games and toys out there that are fun for kids AND help them build the skills necessary for reading and spelling. Below are some ideas for fun, literacy-building stocking stuffers, along with the skill they promote. I Spy, Little Letters by Jean...
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9 Simple Ways to Boost Your Child’s Reading Confidence
BONUS: How to tell if they’re struggling to read and what to do about it.
Imagine your child being a confident reader and enthusiastic learner.
Don’t wait another minute to get your child the help they need.