It’s a fact: learning to read is hard. But there’s one way to make kids love it. Pick books they love. 

How, you ask? We’ve previously discussed:

1. Find out their reading level. It keeps kids engaged. If their books are too hard, they won’t comprehend. But if it’s too easy, they’ll be bored.

2. Spark their interest. If they don’t love what they’re reading… how will they ever learn to love reading?

Today, we bring you Part 3: Book lists.

Every year, teachers, librarians and writers select the best new books. Some are chosen for their pictures. Some, for their text. But they are all the best of the best.

Here are some of StudyDog‘s favorites:

• Association for Library Service to Children’s 2013 Notable Children’s Books. Exemplary new books for kids birth through 14. (You can see past years’ winners here.)

• StudyDog loves picture books. That’s why we love the Caldecott Medal and Honor Winners 1938-2013. These have truly stood the test of time.

• The John Newbery Medal is given annually to the “most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.”

• And, of course, there is StudyDog’s Best Summer Reading List of All Time. This list shows which books appear on the most teacher-recommended reading lists, by grade.

Parents: Are there any lists you would add? What is your favorite way to find books for your child? 

This week, mommy blogger Very Bloggy Beth posted an article called, Why I Don’t Make My Son Share. In it, she writes about her son’s preschool, which has a “no sharing” rule. Kids can play with toys for as long as they want. She writes,

I think it does a child a great disservice to teach him that he can have something that someone else has, simply because he wants it.

You may or may not agree. But experts at StudyDog think there is one very big point missing from the post:

Asking a child to wait teaches them to self-regulate.

Self-regulation is what makes both kids and adults succeed. And, like a muscle, your ability to self-regulate grows when you use it. Here are 3 reasons why that really matters:

1. Self-regulation is the single greatest predictor of later success. Researchers at Stanford found that preschoolers who passed a task called the Marshmallow Test were more likely to graduate from high school and college. They had better grades and SATs. They even ended up with more satisfying careers!

2. Teachers site “emotional intelligence” as one of the top four reasons children can’t participate fully in school. If they can’t manage conflict, frustration and other emotions, school will be very hard for them.

Kids who can self-regulate have fewer behavioral problems. They are less likely to get hurt and engage in risky behaviors.

3. Kids who can self-regulate are happier. Not only as preschoolers — but also as adults! We all want success and good behavior for our kids, but isn’t their happiness our ultimate goal?

Parents: Where do you fall in this debate? Is sharing caring? 

Want to know more? Check out Parenting Hack: Use Sibling Conflicts to Help Your Child’s Reading.

StudyDog is a big fan of using technology to help students learn! Online reading games and learning tools are innovating schools around the globe. Free educational podcasts and mobile apps make learning possible everywhere!

Which is why we wanted to share this incredible infographic:

Want to know more? Click here to learn about StudyDog’s customized reading programs!

Spring break — can you believe it’s already here? It’s been a long time since school started. Your child has definitely earned the break!

But is there something your child “should” be doing in their time off? Yes!  And the good news is, it’s fun!

Here are three tips for making this break fun and educational for your child.

1. Relax!

School is hard! Your child spends a lot of time learning to read and solving math problems. If you want to keep them motivated, you have to give their bodies and minds a break!

Besides, research shows that play makes your child smarter. So whether you’re going on a trip or staying home, make sure your child a chance to explore how they want to.

2. Learn Outside of School

Kids’ brains absorb information like a sponge. That is why enriched education is crucial for all children.

Spring break is a great time to engage your child’s mind. Instead of homework and studying, you can really focus on what your child loves. These early learning experiences will literally impact the rest of your child’s life.

Does your child love animals? Take them to the zoo.

Do they love science? Take them to a tech museum — or spend a few days on model cars, circuits or chemistry kits for kids.

Check out the nature parks near you. Many offer some type of free junior rangers program. Your child will learn about ecology, biology and more.

If you plan on traveling, your child will have the chance to learn about a lot of new things. Just try to keep their focus on the new experience, rather than handheld gadgets.

3. Make the Most of Downtime

Spring break often means long car or plane rides. Use this time to help your child’s reading!

Download some of the best free educational podcasts. Visit the library before your trip and stock up on books. Here are some of the top teacher-recommended books in the nation.

And don’t forget about reading games! Learning on the go is easier than ever with StudyDog. Our popular reading program works on Apple, Android, Kindle and other mobile devices.

Parents: Do you have any special spring break plans? Tips you would add? Tell us about them in the comments section!

Have a great spring break!

We couldn’t help but share this incredible infographic! Parents, what do you think about it?

For the last two weeks, StudyDog has discussed five traits that make schools successful. They are:

1. Visible focus on student achievement.
2. Disproportionate focus on math, reading and writing — often at the expense of other subjects.
3. Frequent assessment of student progress, with multiple opportunities for improvement.
4. Emphasis on nonfiction writing.
5. Consistent grading practices.

But did you notice how all of these traits are connected?

Frequent assessment of student progress lets teachers measure student achievement. Nonfiction writing helps teachers understand a child’s thought process, allowing them to give better feedback.

Good feedback tells kids what they did right — and wrong. So when they have the chance to try again or make corrections, they learn. They improve.

The takeaway from these posts, then, is that kids do best when they have goals and feedback. When they know how well they’re doing and what’s expected from them. And when they can focus on learning, rather than performance.

So now it’s your turn, parents. How do you integrate these concepts into your child’s early learning experiences? Please share your advice in the comments section, below.