Ages & Stages

Let's Talk!
Dads help kids be ready for and do well in school. A good way to increase language skills is to talk at mealtime. Sharing ideas and experiences while eating meals together will help your child learn how to talk about new things that will happen at school. Research shows that preschoolers who eat with family get better nutrition to meet their rapid growth needs. School-agers tend to eat healthier when they have enjoyable company during mealtime and are less apt to be obese than youth who eat alone.

Read everything – the cereal box, the label on the milk jug, the comics, the newspaper, close captioning on TV, etc. The more your child is exposed to printed and spoken words he will develop his vocabulary, become comfortable in speaking and expressing himself in positive ways.

Kindergarten Ahead (pdf)

Quality Time, Quality Books

Dads & kids can read AND write together. Get this book and see the results of a father/daughter project!

Read this book Together!
"The Forest Where Ashley Lives," was co-written by the father/daughter team of Mark and Ashley Vitosh. The book tells the true story of a girl named Ashley and the urban forest where she lives. Ashley shares what she has learned about caring for trees from her father, a town forester. The book appeals to first, second and third grade children.

An interactive CD, accompanying the book, is designed for use in schools and contains student and teacher versions, links to related Web sites and electronic versions of several ISU Extension publications on topics presented in the book.

"The Forest Where Ashley Lives" CD, (PM 1812A) and book (PM 1812) can be ordered through ISU Extension Distribution Center at (515) 294-5247. The cost is $8 plus shipping and handling.

Me & My Dad Activity
Write a book together.
1. Think of an "adventure" you and your child have had together – it may be as simple as brushing your teeth together or as elaborate as an exotic family vacation.
2. Get 6 pieces of paper. On one page, write the title "The Adventures of ____" or "A Day in the Life of _____" and authors' names (you and your child), and the date.
3. On another page, write a brief paragraph "About the Authors" include when and where each of you were born, where you live now and things you enjoy doing. Paste a photo of yourselves or let your child draw a sketch of the "authors".
4. Together, think of 4 things that happened on your adventure. On each of the remaining pages, tell your story in pictures, drawings or words.
5. Staple the pages together or laminate each page and put into a binder so you and others can enjoy your creation over and over!

Reading Is Fundamental