Tag: personalized books

Keep Kids Reading Through the Holidays!

Posted on | by KD Novelties
Keeping kids occupied can sometimes be a challenge. Keeping them focused and learning, especially around the holiday season, can seem like more of a challenge. With the holidays right around the corner, kids can often be distracted with the idea of new toys and gadgets that they would like to receive this holiday season. It may feel like a struggle to get kids to read or do something educational when they are more interested in festivities and games. While celebrating is still certainly important and can yield some valuable family time, it is still possible to get kids to read and think critically this season, and they may not even know that they are doing it!
Child reading personalized book
No matter what you celebrate, kids will be receiving some gifts and treats this holiday season. Kids love the idea of receiving new things, especially toys and games. They may have already made their holiday wish list! Making a wish list is certainly a great way to keep kids writing, but if parents want to get kids to think more critically and creatively, parents can ask their children to elaborate. Why do you want this toy? What sort of games are you looking forward to playing? Who would you like to share your gifts with? What would be the perfect gift for your siblings/cousins/parents/grandparents? By completing an exercise like this, kids can use their imagination to answer questions while also using their reading comprehension skills to craft a coherent and explanative answer.
Parents can also use reading to play games. Leading up to the holidays, parents will be gathering their children’s gifts and presents. As parents get new gifts, they can leave little clues and riddles for their kids. Write from the point of view of Santa Claus or another figure to leave hints around the house, under the tree, by the menorah or even under children’s pillows to help get them excited. Not only will kids love learning about what they may be getting, but they will be actively reading and thinking as well.
Parents can also ask their kids to write about their favorite holiday traditions. They can then share their answers with the rest of the family. What they write may make for a great arts and crafts project that parents can incorporate into their holiday décor or to include in the family’s photo album or scrapbook to remember for years to come.
Visit KDNovelties.com for personalized kids books and gifts making them the STAR this Holiday Season.

Get Your Kids Into the Kitchen and… READ!

Posted on | by KD Novelties
Reading is important, not just for children but for adults as well. Reading is emphasized throughout childhood to help sustain a healthy love of learning and to help develop problem solving, critical thinking and imaginative skills in individuals. But… as we all know, it is not so easy to get every individual to read. When it comes to kids, reluctant readers may often feel uninterested in books and find other pastimes more exciting instead. Personalized books can help with this problem. Personalized children’s books are special because they are individualized and interactive. When kids see that they become the star of their own adventure, they are more likely to pick up the book, read through it, and learn some key skills along the way.  However, personalized books are not the only interactive books out there, in fact, some have been around for ages… like cookbooks.

When it comes to getting reluctant kids to try new things, interactivity is a great way to pique their interest. Cookbooks allow kids to participate in the preparation as well as the cooking or baking alongside their parents or older siblings. This is a great project for families to work on together where every member can play a vital role in the outcome, with everyone sharing, eating and enjoying the meal once its finished!

Kids will love reading the recipe. They will love feeling needed and important as part of the project, but their eagerness to read is also great too. As they read off ingredients, kids can learn all about different spices, grains, meats, vegetables, fruits and other such ingredients, as well as learning about measurements and some cooking activities like mixing, beating, seasoning and a slew of other things. Not only will kids learn key aspects of cooking, even if it is just the basics, but they will also learn about the food they are eating as well which can be especially helpful for reluctant readers. Studies have shown that when kids help their parents cook a meal, they are more likely to eat it! This is because they feel like they are a part of the cooking process and are proud of their involvement and contribution, much like the feeling of pride they may feel after having completed an arts and crafts project.

The holidays are just around the corner and there is no more perfect time to get kids in on the family cooking! Invite kids to help out with the holiday cookies, cakes and treats as well as the big holiday dinner. Even if they only lend a hand for certain dishes, they will feel great about having been a part of the process and will be eager to help read a recipe again in the future!

What to Do When Your Child Refuses to Go to School

Posted on | by KD Novelties
Refusal to go to school

It can be difficult dealing with a child that just does not want to go to school. Change in routine, atmosphere and the people around them can be disconcerting and scary for them to handle all at once. This sort of big change can be scary for them and they can see the act of going to school as a negative thing. They may call school boring, saying that they don’t like their teachers, or that they don’t like the other children in class simply because its all new to them. The problem usually starts at the start of a new year for example making the transition to a new school.  An illness or the loss of a family member may also set off school refusal.  The goal is to find out why the refusal is happening to the child. Just how many children are affected is still unclear with estimates varying from 5% to 28%.  According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, this problem usually occurs in children ages 5 to 6, and again between the ages of 10 and 11.

If you are having a hard time convincing your kids to give school a try, there are some ways to do so without driving yourself crazy.

When children refuse to go to school

Presenting your child with a personalized book on the subject can easily help ease them into approaching the subject as well as encouraging them to give school a chance. “School is Fun” is a personalized story from KD Novelties that places your child in school and has them solving a mystery with their new classmates. Showing kids that school does not have to be boring or scary can help them get excited to go to school for real. Personalized books for kids on a subject that they are trying to deal with in real life has shown to help motivate kids and instill them with the confidence they need to overcome their obstacles. For instance, studies have shown that presenting a child with a book on potty training while they are learning to do so can help motivate them to keep trying and inspires them to solve their problems on their own.

 Another option is to set up a goal and reward system. If they do not wish to go to school because it is new and they have not gone yet, it can be difficult to convince them to just give it a try, but by giving them a goal and promising a reward or a treat, they might be more willing to give it a try. With this sort of incentive, kids are more likely to be willing to give school a try and be on their best behavior. During this time period, they may even grow so accustomed to school as a routine, especially after a week or two, that they may not need another incentive.

Lastly if the reward system does not work reach out to professionals for help.  Treatment providers working with kids who have school refusal will often use cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps kids learn to manage their anxious thoughts and face their fears. With therapy kids can get the chance to see that they can attend school without anxiety or fear.