I’ve personally always loved Barefoot Books.  It started when my little girl was 2 months old and I saw a princess book, CD, and puppet from Barefoot Books at a friend’s Open House for Mom-run businesses.  This book was different from other Princess books.  It told tales of princesses from around the world who faced challenges and trials but found a way to triumph with bravery, compassion, ingenuity and a little bit of luck.  I’ve read it to my daughter, now 4 years old, over and over.  The Animal Boogie book and CD have been a favorite of all of my kids and The Bear book collection has been one of my favorites as well…  Bear on a Bike, Bear at Home, Bear in a Square, etc.  Most recently I’ve discovered a whole collection of environmental books offered through Barefoot Books such as The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales, Whole World, and the One World, One Planet Gift Collection.

Barefoot Books began with two mothers who wanted their children to have books that would feed the imagination, while instilling a respect for diversity and a love of the planet.  I loved this idea so much that I decided to partner with Barefoot Books to help expose more people to this beautiful community.  Please come and explore the world of Barefoot Books through Magic Lantern.  Your purchases on many products also help to support environmental causes.

http://www.barefootbooks.com/marketplace/8786/

Now that the school year is in full swing, I am sure that your child is bringing homework projects home. Whether your child is in preschool or high school, you will be working on projects together or just supervising. Here are several tips on helping your child complete homework assignments.
• Read the directions thoroughly. If you or your child has a question, ask the teacher as soon as possible. Know the different ways you can contact your child’s teacher.
• Provide support for your child. Encourage your high school student to share what they are working on at dinner, or sit down next to your second grader and watch him answer a question or write a sentence.
• Recognize when your child is frustrated or distracted. Determine whether the assignment is intended to be completed independently or collaboratively. Help when needed.
• Ask Your Child Questions. Generally speaking, homework is a reflection of what kids are learning in school. Let her know you are interested in what she is learning.
• Proofread written work together. If you are working on a writing assignment with your child, determine the purpose and audience of the assignment and make the appropriate changes together. Remember, learning to write is a process, and there are many developmental stages. Learn what the teacher’s expectations are for your child’s writing ability.

Lastly, homework is part of the educational experience. It is important to schedule time into your daily routine for homework, and most importantly have fun. Homework time is a great chance to learn more about what your child is doing at school and who your child is as a learner.