News and Events at Riverside

Getting children to read can prove to be a difficult task, but there are many researchable tips and strategies to promote reading. A very popular strategy that has helped promote children to read is by letting them read a book that has been adapted into a movie. Michele Borba, an educational psychologist, has an excellent tip on her website. Michele Borba suggests that children become movie critics through reading.

How can a child become a movie critic? A child can watch the movie and then read the book or read the book and then watch the movie. Once a child has completed reading the book and watching the movie or vice versa, he/she can compare and contrast the two. Did your child like the movie or the book better? What were the differences between the two?

The great thing about books adapted into movies is that no ages or genres are ignored. Parents can find a list of movies that have been adapted from books on this Wikipedia page. Interested in what movies will be released based on books? Check out this website. Four of the movies listed in the website that will be sure to get kids excited are:

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians; The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
• City of Bones; Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
• Hunger Games; Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• the second installment of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Reading a book that has or will be adapted into a movie is a great way to get your child excited about books. Make sure that the books and movies are age appropriate.

In 2002 the average amount of time children ages 2 to 18 years old spent playing video games was 20 to 33 minutes a day. Anyone with children these days knows that is no longer the case. Gaming has become so popular that there are now studies as to how prolonged amounts of time spent gaming on a daily basis can lead to poor social skills, less reading, less time spent doing homework, and even weight problems. So, as a new school year begins, how do we help our children focus less on gaming and more on homework and healthy outdoor activities?

With state-of-the-art graphics blurring the line between reality and fiction, and role playing games allowing players to become more invested than ever in fantasy storylines, pulling children away from their computers and game consoles has become harder than ever. However, by establishing rules that place importance on homework above video games, establishing time limits on daily (or weekly) gaming, and involving our children in organized outdoor activities provided by either the school or the city, our youth may learn to place less emphasis on video games, become accustomed to good work habits, and benefit from increased confidence in social settings as well as improved health and fitness.

As the school year begins, it brings with it the perfect opportunity to place less emphasis on stationary entertainment and more emphasis on excellent work and play habits. So, empower your children to be more successful this year. They may carry the benefits of such a lifestyle with them the rest of their lives.