Walking 10,000 Steps A Day – Making It Work!

Walking 10,000 Steps A Day – Making It Work!

There is no avoiding the fact that regular exercise is the key to maintaining our weight and improving our health. Still, like most average people, we are stumped at where to begin and how to fit a regular workout into our already crammed schedule and our already stretched-too-thin budget.
To lose weight and nurture a healthy lifestyle, one does not have to involve a gym membership, spandex clothing or squeezing equipment into our home. With an inexpensive pedometer and a willingness to change a few habits, anyone can begin the healthy journey into the world of 10,000 steps a day.
Don’t panic, your goal is to increase how much you are moving everyday. You can work your way up to 10,000 steps a day at your own pace.
(Note: If you have a chronic condition or are unsure of your overall health, see your doctor before beginning this or any exercise.)
If you consider the fact that the average person walks between 3,000 to 4,000 steps everyday, 10,000 does not seem quite as intimidating.

Preparations

Your first step is to purchase a pedometer. You can spend as little as $5 or as much as $250 on a pedometer. You just need something that will count your steps. Take a couple of days to get used to wearing the pedometer. Do not change your regular routine, but do note how many steps you take each day. You will likely find that just having the pedometer right there counting your steps is a motivator. Use the count to keep you heading to the next 100, 500, 1000 steps.
Once you’re accustomed to wearing the pedometer, set a goal to increase the steps you usually take by an additional 2,000 steps.
Research has shown that your risk of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and other chronic diseases goes up significantly the more often you sit. Standing is preferred over sitting but standing for long periods has its drawbacks as well – it can affect your circulation, blood pressure and cause problems with your feet, knees and hips. Walking is the happy medium between sitting and standing.

Did You Know?

• More than 2,400 years ago, Hippocrates said, “Walking is a man’s best medicine.”

• On average, walking 10,000 steps is estimated to be equivalent to walking 5 miles (or 8 kilometers) and you also get to burn 400 to 500 calories from this simple exercise.

• A study conducted by Harvard Medical School shows that walking as an exercise can help slow down the aging process and prolongs one’s life.

How To Walk 10,000 Steps A Day

If you work from home or you are a stay-at-home parent, you have the most flexibility. You do not have to get up at 5:00 a.m. and walk five miles before your day starts – unless, of course, that would make you happy.
You will get the most from your 10,000 steps if you spread them out over the day. Get in the habit of taking a quick morning and/or after dinner walk. Each mile you walk is about 2000 steps. Start small and work up. When you are first starting out, it can be helpful to break the 10,000 step goal into 3 or 4 small goals to meet throughout the day. You could challenge yourself to get in 3000 steps before 10 am and then another 3000 steps before dinner time.
You can also use the following tips to add more steps per day, like:

• Making and taking phone calls standing up. Pace or march in place when on the phone.

• If you are home with children, don’t be the mom-that-sits. Get up and play, go for walks, dance around your kitchen. (The pedometer will not know you’re not walking if you’re dancing. The movements still count as steps.)

• When you’re out running errands, park far away from the store – those extra steps add up.

• Take your grocery cart back to the store after you have loaded bags into your car.

• Use a timer. Set your timer for 15-30 minutes while you are on the computer. After that, get up and move around for 5-10 minutes.

• While watching television, get up and walk in place during commercials.

• Don’t let the weather interrupt your routine. Walk indoors on a treadmill or go to the nearest mall and do some window shopping.

• Listening to audio books while you walk can help you fight the fatigue and boredom.

If you work at a desk job, get creative as you work up to 10,000 steps each day.

• If you drive to work, park your car at the furthest lot so you will walk the extra steps to the office.

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever it’s an option. If you normally wear high heels to work, carry them in a bag and wear sneakers to and from the office.

• Bring your lunch and walk to a local park to eat. Alternatively, find a restaurant that offers healthy food that is within walking distance of your office.

• If your boss is okay with it, make 10,000 steps a day an office challenge. Together you will come up with many ways of moving more around your specific office. Working with a team will be a boost to your motivation as well.

• Conduct interviews and small meetings while walking in a local park or on a set route near your office.

• If you travel frequently, spend your time in the airport window-shopping or walking briskly through the concourse rather than just sitting in the waiting area.

In additional, try one or more of these unconventional ideas:

• Use a standing desk for part of your day. If your job requires you to spend a lot of time at a desk, a standing desk allows you to continue working without wasting your day in a chair. Spend half of your day standing and the other half sitting. You’ll find you add steps to your daily count while working at a standing desk.

• If you are really serious about getting fit, look into the possibility of a treadmill desk. You can get your work done while walking at a slow pace throughout the day. As they become more common, companies are recognizing the health benefits and increased productivity treadmill desks provide to their employees.

Once you are used to moving more, you may find yourself craving even more movement. (Really, you will.)
If you are attempting to burn more calories and lose weight, you can try walking up a slope or hill. The steeper the incline, the more calories you will burn. Alternatively, you can try bumping up the intensity of some of your walking like using the stairs more, walking faster or even adding another 2000 steps per day.
So, what are you waiting for? Put on those walking shoes, start walking and make every step count!

Why Chia Seeds Are Good For You: Top 10 Health Benefits

Why Chia Seeds Are Good For You: Top 10 Health Benefits

Want to improve your health and have more energy? Then you should add chia seeds to your diet. This superfood has been a staple in Mayan and Aztec diets for centuries. Also know as salvia hispanica, chia is a flowering plant that grows in Mexico and Guatemala. Its seeds are beneficial for health and can be used in various recipes. Ancient warriors were eating chia seeds to maintain their strength on the battlefield.

Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, these tiny seeds have proven health benefits ranging from fat loss and increased energy to greater stamina. Research shows that chia seeds may lower cholesterol levels, improve digestion, regulate blood sugar, and decrease inflammation. They are also being studied as a potential natural treatment for diabetes. Due to their high fiber content, chia seeds are a favorite choice for dieters. They make great snacks and can turn your meals into a nutritional powerhouse.

Are you ready to give your diet a superfood boost? If so, check out the top 10 health benefits of chia seeds:

1. Provide Massive Amounts of Nutrients

These tiny seeds are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein, fiber, and cancer-fighting compounds. An ounce serving (28 grams) provides four grams of protein, 11 grams of fiber, nine grams of fat, and 137 calories. It also delivers large amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, thiamine, niacin, zinc, and potassium.

This superfood has more than twice the fiber of a cup of oatmeal, twice the iron and magnesium of a cup of spinach, and five times more omega-3 essential fatty than a 1/4-cup serving of walnuts. Each serving offers as much potassium as a third of a banana and as much calcium as a half cup of milk. These seeds contain all eight essential amino acids. According to health experts, they also enhance nutrient absorption into the bloodstream. Two tablespoons of chia seeds deliver more than 18 percent of the daily recommended allowance of calcium, 30 percent of the recommended daily intake of manganese, and 42 percent of the recommended daily amount of fiber.

It’s no wonder why chia is considered one of the most nutritious foods on earth.

Chia seeds are grown organically and contain no gluten, making them ideal for people with Celiac disease or food allergies.

2. Boast A High Antioxidant Value

This superfood contains powerful antioxidants that fight free radical damage and prevent cancer. The high antioxidant content also helps them have a long shelf life. Chia seeds are high in quercetin, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid. These antioxidants inhibit cancer cell growth, delay the aging process, and slow the release of glucose into bloodstream. Quercetin boosts your energy levels, reduces fatigue, and enhances athletic performance. These nutrients have significant value to human health. Caffeic acid strengthens your immune system, fights colon cancer, and helps prevent colitis. Chlorogenic acid stops the growth of brain tumors and lowers your risk of developing diabetes. It also improves bile flow and supports liver health. This natural compound keeps your heart healthy and improves digestion.

3. Support Cardiovascular Health

Recent studies indicate that chia seeds may lower the risk of stroke and heart attack. This superfood has a thinning effect on the blood and improves cardiovascular health. It also reduces bad cholesterol levels, stabilizes blood pressure, and helps prevent coronary heart disease. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which protect the cardiovascular system by lowering inflammation, cholesterol, and high blood pressure. By including these seeds in your diet, you’ll add years to your life.

4. Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels

Touted as one of the best natural sources of fiber, chia seeds can help prevent diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. Dietary fiber slows down sugar absorption into your body, which helps reduce insulin spikes. By adding chia seeds to your meals, you’ll keep your blood glucose levels within normal limits. This is particularly important for people with diabetes and pre-diabetes.

These seeds boast a unique combination of soluble and insoluble fiber, offering lasting energy without crashes. Their beneficial effects on blood sugar levels are well-documented. By slowing the conversion of carbs into glucose, chia seeds keep your energy levels stable throughout the day.

5. Suppress Your Appetite

Many dieters use chia seeds for their appetite suppressing effects. This superfood can absorb up to 27 times its weight in water when soaked. Once ingested, it forms a gel-like substance in your stomach. As a result, you’ll feel full quickly, have fewer cravings, and eat less. These seeds are an effective appetite suppressant and can help you lose excess weight.

With less than one gram of carbohydrate per serving, chia seeds are a great addiction to your diet. You can mix them into protein shakes, prepare homemade desserts and chia pudding, or eat them as a side dish to ward off hunger. Almost all the carbs in them are fiber. Even those who follow high-protein or ketogenic diets can eat chia seeds daily. This food also contains large amounts of protein, which increases fullness and curbs hunger.

6. Cleanse Your Colon And Liver

Many cleansing plans encourage the consumption of chia seeds. Due to their high fiber content, these seeds prevent constipation and cleanse your colon and liver. They flush out toxins from your body, stimulate bile production, and keep your digestive system running smoothly.

When mixed with water or fresh fruit juices, chia seeds will eliminate waste and undigested food particles from your body, and keep you regular. To fully reap their benefits, stick to a healthy diet and drink a lot of water. For a more powerful cleansing effect, consume flaxseeds, psyllium husk, and green leafy vegetables in addition to chia seeds.

7. Reduce Food Cravings

Sugar and junk food cravings are typically caused by nutrient deficiencies. If you crave chocolate, you might need more chromium, magnesium, and B vitamins in your diet. The same goes for sugar cravings. If you feel the urge to eat salty foods, consume whole grains, fruits, veggies, chia seeds and other B-vitamin rich foods. People who crave fried foods and junk food should eat more essential fats.

Chia seeds contain all of the nutrients required for optimal health. They’re particularly high in magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins, which may help prevent cravings for junk food and sweets. These tiny seeds also reduce hunger pangs and keep you full between meals.

8. Prevent Type II Diabetes

High in fiber and alpha-linolenic acid, chia seeds help prevent insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and other metabolic disorders that increase diabetes risk. Scientists have found that eating these seeds can reduce blood sugar spikes after meals and reduce diabetes risk. They may also reverse the damaging effect of diabetes on your health.

A study conducted on diabetics has shown that those who ate chia seeds several days in a row experienced lowered blood pressure, lowered blood sugar and insulin levels, and reduced body fat. This miracle superfood can prolong the release of carbohydrates and decrease the risk factors for diabetes.

9. Boost Your Energy Levels

Chia seeds have been used since ancient times for their energizing effects. This superfood will increase your energy and stamina without adding extra calories to your meals. Research suggests that chia seeds can also improve athletic performance and help maximize your gains.

These tiny seeds are just as effective as a sports drink, which makes perfect for athletes and gym goers. When consumed regularly, they can help runners, bodybuilders, and endurance athletes carb load for intense training and perform at their best.

10. Build Stronger Bones

This superfood offers about 18 percent of the recommended daily amount of calcium per ounce. Calcium is essential to bone health. Chia seeds also contain protein, magnesium, and phosphorus, which help build stronger bones. Gram for gram, they deliver more calcium and micro-nutrients than most dairy products. Boron, one of the key nutrients in chia seeds, helps your body metabolize calcium and other minerals that support the development of muscles and bones. There are many other benefits of eating chia seeds. When combined with a healthy diet, this superfood can help you build muscle and lose weight, prevent breast and colon cancer, and lower your risk of arthritis. By forming a gel in your stomach, these seeds prevent dehydration and help your body retain more water. If you exercise regularly, you need more water and electrolytes to stay hydrated. By adding chia seeds to your diet, you can prevent dehydration and replace the electrolytes lost through sweat. Other key benefits of chia seeds include:

·         Improve certain blood markers

·         Add more protein to your diet

·         Get stronger teeth

·         Prevent arthritis and osteoporosis

·         Enhance protein synthesis

·         Reduce belly fat

·         Boost cognitive performance

·         Maintain a healthy body weight

·         Increase your metabolism

·         Strengthen your immune system

·         Keep plaque from mineralization onto your teeth

·         Prevent cervical cancer

·         Fight premature skin aging

·         Get a silky, shiny hair

·         Add flavor to your meals

·         Make recipes healthier

·         Sleep better at night

These tiny black seeds live up to their superfood name. The best part is there are a wide variety and selection availablethat you can find in most grocery stores.

How To Eat Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds can be used in lots of different ways. In Central America and Mexico, people mix them in water with lemon juice or lime to make a delicious, healthy beverage called “chia fresca.” In other parts of the world, these seeds are mixed into salads, yogurt, whole grains, oatmeal, porridge, protein shakes, smoothies, and homemade desserts. Some people apply them on the skin or use them for making hair treatments and facial scrubs.

This superfood can be used as an egg substitute, or added to puddings, grain free crackers, meatballs, and homemade energy gels. Compared to other seeds, they don’t need to be ground in order to be properly digested. This means you can even chew them for a healthy breakfast on the go.

Some chefs use chia seeds instead of breadcrumbs or cornstarch to thicken meatballs, soups, and gravies. If you mix a tablespoon of ground chia seeds with three tablespoons of water, you’ll obtain an excellent egg substitute. These seeds are a healthier alternative to processed grains and can be used in bread, muffin, and cookie recipes. If you love their flavor and texture, try the following combinations:

·         Banana chia seed cake

·         High protein chia pudding

·         Chocolate pistachio chia shake

·         Lemon poppy seed chia loaf

·         Gluten free chia chicken tenders

·         Gluten free chia oat bars

·         Chia brown rice

·         Chocolate chia mousse

·         Chia seed wafer cookies

·         Chia fresca americano

·         Chia oatmeal

·         Chia hummus

·         Honey lime chia dressing

·         Vanilla-almond chia pudding

·         Peach cobbler with chia seeds

·         Mocha chocolate chia brownies

·         Breakfast chia pudding with blueberries and sour cherries

·         Chia seed chocolate crème brulée

·         Coconut chia protein pancakes

·         Lemon chia seed pancakes with strawberries

·         Pumpkin pie oatmeal with chia seeds

·         Lemon muffins with chia seeds

The list can go on with thousands of other recipes. Chia seeds are extremely versatile and can spice up your diet. You can use them in salty and sweet dishes, mix them into smoothies, or eat them raw.

How Much Chia Seeds Should You Consume Per Day?

Chia seeds are safe and have no side effects. However, it’s recommended to consume them in moderation just like you do with everything else. A reasonable amount is 25 grams a day. These seeds have approximately 136 calories per serving (two tablespoons. If you eat too much, the calories will add up. You might also experience bloating and gas.

This super seed is high in fiber, so it may cause some gastrointestinal problems. Try not to exceed three tablespoons a day. These tiny seeds absorb water and increase their size, so you can cook a full meal using just two tablespoons. If you take blood thinners or high blood pressure drugs, ask your doctor before adding chia seeds to your meals.

Tips To Help Your Child Become Independent

Tips To Help Your Child Become Independent

        

            Independent Children

From a very young age, your little one will start showing signs of wanting her independence. The typical age this starts is around 18 months, but it really gets kicking (literally) at around 2 years. Hence the name the “terrible two’s”. Anyone who has been through this stage will know that you spend just about all your time wishing for it to pass. It is, however, a vital stage in a child’s development and it’s your child’s introduction into the big leagues.

So Why Is Independence So Important?

The need for autonomy grows from wanting to push the “going-up” button in the elevator, all on her own, to making serious life decisions later in life. As a parent, your main objective is to raise a child that will one day be a well-rounded adult. Part of this is being able to stand on her own feet and keep walking forward. That all starts with the very first power struggle you and your little one will have. How you handle the situation and what you put in place to help your child attain independence will certainly shape her adulthood.
It’s easy to think your child just wants her way when she throws a tantrum early morning, after you’ve said a definitive no to her choice of clothing for the day. However, this is, in fact, a very healthy sign that she is ready to take on more liberty. Of course, too much of a good thing and allowing a child full autonomy of a decision that she is not mature enough to make, could be both dangerous and emotionally harmful to her. Stick to things that are within your moral code and allow her to step into her role as a self-governing young person with healthy conviction.

Independence Tips For The Young Child

1. Don’t Give Your Child ALL The Choices, You Are The Parent And She Is The Child
Too many choices can confuse her and if she is not confident in her decision-making skills or she is naturally indecisive, this will be a daunting task for her. Choose age-appropriate decisions and limit them according to her development. A good idea is to decide on three options and allow your young child to choose between them. You can guide her decisions somewhat by throwing something you like, something she likes, and something you both like, into the mix. As she gets older, let her mix and match the options on her own – she can then choose which pair of pants to wear with which top. This will work in many other areas too.

2. Teach Her A New Skill
There is nothing like learning a new skill to boost your little one’s confidence. Teach her to ride her bike without the training wheels. Enroll her for swimming lessons so that she can swim without her tubes. Not only will it help build her confidence, it will provide a feeling of being self-sufficient by removing her dependence on an object. These are healthy opportunities for your child to feel freedom that will help her feel fulfilled.

3. Trust And Enable
It’s not easy to allow your child certain things especially when you can predict the outcome, but she does need to learn how to do things on her own.

• Encourage her to try new things and explore them. Don’t baby her too much. Boost her confidence by trusting her.

• Let her choose her clothes every now and then (set aside a few options for her to choose from).

• Let her help you when you do chores or go to the store. Give her a very special chore of her own, like picking out all the socks from the laundry, matching and folding them.

Independence Tips For The Older Child

1. Expand Your Child’s Choices
By the age of 8 or so, you’ll see your child begin to blossom into a wonderful decision-making machine. Continually follow your child’s development and allow her more complex decisions and freedoms.

2. Suggest Extra-Curricular Activities
These will boost her self-esteem. Sports activities teach your child to be a constructive part of a team too. Allow her to choose the extra-curricular activities she’s most drawn to and then support her in her choices.

Independence Tips For The Teenager

1. Relinquish Control, Keep The Boundaries
Let go of your grip a little, after all, in a few years, you’ll have to let go completely. Be clear about your expectations and limits.

2. Encourage Your Teenager To Make Informed Decisions
Rebellion at this stage is high on the priority list for most teens, and showing that she can make her own decisions is priority number one. Don’t retaliate by curbing her opportunities or by judging her decisions (however hard that may be). Show her the consequences of her choices and actions instead and help her find information and alternatives for a choice she may need to make. You won’t be able to do this for her all the time, but if you lay the foundation, she will build the rest of the house and continue to use this model.

3. Be Kind
Your child might be experiencing a variety of emotions ranging from good to not-so-good. Your support and more-so, your kindness will be invaluable through this time. Remember mistakes are likely to happen and your child might already feel awful about this. Offer constructive criticism or don’t offer any at all.
Regardless of your child’s age it’s important to set limits. There are very few children who gladly accept restrictions, but most do thrive with proper boundaries set for them. Be actively part of your growing child’s search for independence. Encourage her to communicate with you and deter temper tantrums by being open to alternatives rather than a flat-out no.
Some children are more confident in this area than others and for many it can be downright confusing. Regardless of your child’s nature, support and guide her. Be ready to goad her on and help shape her journey. Cementing good independent habits is much like teaching a child to ride a bike for the first time. Be ready to let go of the handlebars when she is set.

How To Teach Your Preschool Toddler To Read: 20 Tips

How To Teach Your Preschool Toddler To Read: 20 Tips

Having your toddler have the ability to read at this young age may seem like an impossible feat. But it can be done! While each child will learn to read at their own pace, as parents it is our duty to inspire them with books and fill the desire to learn to read within them.
Giving them the tools to learn how to read is just the beginning of this journey. This will help them gain the confidence they need to begin to really understand how letters and words work.
When a child becomes confident in learning to read, their interests to learn other subjects grow and school becomes fun. You are setting up great building blocks for their continuing education.
The following are our 20 best tips on how you can teach your preschool toddler to read.

1. Surround Your Child With Books

At a very early age, always have books easily accessible to them. Put them in their room and in their playroom or keep a bunch in the car. This is beneficial even if they are just going through the pictures and doing the activities in an interactive book. A book should always be in their reach. This is the beginning of ensuring you are raising a “book lover.”

2. Read Their Favorite Book Over And Over Again

If there is a book that your child loves, read it to them over and over again. One of the keys to building vocabulary and recognizing new words is by repetitive reading, according to a study. Children love repetition and love when there is something in the book that they love to anticipate for. It is suggested by experts that you should read the same book to toddlers at least 3 times a week.

3. Read To Them Every Day And Every Opportunity You Get

A story before bedtime shouldn’t be the only time you read to your little one. Find opportunities to read to them whenever you can. Whether it is just 10 minutes here or there, your child will greatly benefit when you take the time to read to them every opportunity you get. Not only does this help improve their reading comprehension and skills, this is also a great important bonding time you can have with your child.

4. Everyday Conversations

When you are sitting down for dinner, give them opportunities to speak and recall not only events of the day but even the stories that they have read. This will allow them to practice their skills in memory recall. By talking about it helps them to commit it to long term memory. Focus on using same story’s vocabulary in everyday conversation. Choose key words from a story they have read and try to apply it every day use.

5. Set A Good Example

Children learn by following your lead. When they see you consistently reading this gives them the motivation to be like mommy and daddy. Read around them and show them the books that you love. If you are not an avid reader it is never too late to fall in love with books. Make sure that you set some time for yourself to enjoy a book. You and your child can have quiet reading time together.

6. Make It Fun

You don’t want reading to turn into a chore or something that is not enjoyable. To make it more enticing, you can develop a reward chart for the many books they read. The rewards can be as simple as reading a book every day entitles them to an ice cream at the end of the week. When children start to feel like learning to read is work, they will begin to lose interest which makes it harder for them to stay engaged. Keep things light and fun. Read their stories in funny voices. Even if it feels ridiculous to do so, anyway that you can keep them entertained and excited about reading is important.

7. Label Everything

With post it notes, label everything in the house. From the oven to the television, put the labels anywhere you can identify an object. When your child sees the word on a consistent basis it helps them recognize and identify the relationship between the word and the item. Point them out every day or every time you pass by it or use it. You can even make a game out of it by giving them the word and they have to find the item to stick it to.

8. Assign A Letter A Day

This is a great interactive way to promote learning the alphabet and how to recognize letters. When you assign a letter for the day, the goal is to find that letter wherever you go. You can have them look for the letter in books, on signs outside or around the house. Practice writing the letter and the types of words that start with the letter. This is a fun way to begin their reading comprehension skills.

9. Encourage Your Child To Write

Even though in the beginning of learning to write it may just look like scribbles, having them try to write helps them learn the recognition of each letter. Their name is a great place to start to learn how to write. You can even teach them how to create letters by using Cheerios to line and trace the letters. This is a great game that keeps children engaged by making it an activity10. Read A Variety Of Materials

You can read other things besides children’s books for your child. Read things that you see around outside, such as signs or even things that you see in magazines. The wider materials that your child is exposed to the more vocabulary and sight words they will memorize and learn. When you are at the grocery store, read all the labels of the produce and products. Make it a habit to read everything you see when your child is around.

11. Be Consistent

Always keep reading to them every day and be consistent in every day discovery of words. It becomes more difficult for children to remember what they learned when they are taught it one day and asked to recall it weeks later. The more repetitive you are in reading every day, identifying words and learning the sounds the quicker they will be able to commit it to their long term memory. Learning how to read is an ongoing lesson every day.

12. Be Patient

You child may not pick up concepts or memorize words right away. They may not even be interested in books in the beginning. Be patient and keep at it. Try every day to engage your child with reading. Keep different types of books around and take note about what they are interested in. Is it animals? Or maybe it is trucks? Choose books that are inline to what they are interested in. You can even have them go to the library or the bookstore and have them pick out books that interest them. Choose book subjects that will keep them entertained and engaged.

13. Sight Words

Sight words are also known as high frequency words. While it is not suggested that children learn how to read solely on memorization, these words do not follow the traditional rule of phonics and because of that, it is suggested that working to memorize these words are beneficial to overall learning how to read process. There is a popular list of sight words that are suggested by researchers to learn by memorization for children. You can put these on flash cards to help with the memorization. Here is a list of sight words for your child to learn.

14. Identify Letters In Natural Settings

When you are out grocery shopping or doing every day errands or activities, take note on making sure that you identify the letters and even words that you find to your little one. You can even make it a game by turning it into a scavenger hunt. Go through the alphabet and try to find each letter. When your child gets more familiar with actual words, you can start identifying those when you are out and about in the world. Your child will get excited when they can spot a word or a letter that they know. This will continue the motivation to keep learning.

15. Invest In Letter Toys

Rather than just buying toys that have all the bells and whistles, sometimes the more beneficial toys are ones that are simple. A letter toy is a great way to have your preschooler learn to identify letters and create words from them. Letter magnets that you can put on the refrigerator or even block letters are great tools to use. With these letter toys you and your child can work on creating words or even the beginning phonic sounds with them.

16. Take Frequent Visits To The Library

A library is really an amazing place, especially when they have a whole section devoted to children. It is a place for discovery and seeing how great books are. Children will love picking out a book to read and to take home. You can check out as many books as you like. In some libraries they have interactive games on the computer that help promote reading while keeping little ones engaged. Use your local library as a great resource in promoting their love of reading early on. Many times they have programs that help promote reading with young children.

17. Take Part In Local Story Time Activities

Check with your local community centers to see what reading programs they have for young children. There are usually story times that include not just a story but a song as well as a craft that goes along with the story. Children will love being with other children their age to play and these types of activities tend to really engage young readers. They help a child really remember the story by including these other activities that relate to the book. You can even start a local book club with other parents of toddlers where you choose a book and an activity that is related to the book to do together.

18. Choose Interactive Books

       Interactive books

Interactive books are great for young children as it keeps them interested in the book physically. These books allow the child to touch and feel or pull the flaps up and down. Children learn best when they are at play and can attached a physical motion to what they are learning. Keeping kids interested and engaged is the first key to teaching them to read. Interactive books also help with their physical development as it helps with their fine motor skills. They are able to use their pincher skills and how to maneuver their hands and fingers. These interactive books give them practice opportunities for these skills.

19. Use Tablet Applications That Promote Reading

Many children love playing with their parent’s iPad or tablet. You can incorporate this technology and learning to read with fun and engaging apps that are great at keeping children engaged and excited to learn. This type of technology is really changing the way that our children are able to gather and organize information. Children love reading books where there is some sort of animation involved within the story. Here is a list of some great ipad apps that focus on teaching your child how to read.

20. HeidiSongs

HeidiSongs can be found on YouTube and are highly entertaining for young kids to watch. The combine song with learning sight words. HeidiSongs was created by a teacher in California who combined her knowledge of brain research in child comprehension and practical experience and created a creative way that keeps children engaged and wanting to learn to read. Not only does she have great videos on YouTube, she also has great worksheets and tips on her blog.