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10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We absolutely adore the fun Geronimo Stilton chapter books for ages 7-10, grades 2nd-5th, but also reluctant readers will love the Geronimo Stilton books.

Geronimo Stilton is an editor in chief of The Rodent’s Gazette, the most “famous” newspaper in New Mouse City.

He’s also the author of his own best-selling book series. 

But the Geronimo Stilton chapter books were actually written by Elisabetta Maria Dami who is an Italian children’s book author and she is the creator of the character Geronimo Stilton.

10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books

And the character of Geronimo Stilton is a shy, funny, but adventurous mouse.

Because the author Elisabetta Maria Dami has an interest in archaeology and a passion for traveling and exploring, Geronimo is always off on an adventure.

The whole series makes for a fun literature study but especially to incorporate geography and history into your unit studies.

About the Geronimo Stilton Series

Look at these ten things to learn from the Geronimo Stilton books.

1. Learn literary devices in a fun way.

Be on the lookout for examples of literary devices such as:

  • Onomatopoeia
  • Similes/Metaphors
  • Hyperbole
  • Idioms
  • Puns

What is an onomatopoeia?

Other than it being my favorite little gem found in these books, it’s a literary device to know and super fun to teach.

First, let’s take a minute to appreciate how fun this word is to say.

If this is a new word for your kids, be sure to listen to the pronunciation.

“Onomatopoeia is the process of creating a word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes.”

For example, a dry fall leaf crunches underfoot.

Also, look at my Amazon Shop to see a list of the books.

A bumblebee buzzes around the backyard.

Geronimo Stilton must love Onomatopoeia too because the word pictures he uses to show the reader this literary device are perfection for a visual learner.

How many examples of onomatopoeia can you find in each chapter?

2. Have a fun vocabulary scavenger hunt.

Make a list of new words you find in each chapter.

It won’t be hard for your kids to find them.

10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books

3. Focus on character development.

You will fall in love with the characters.

They are full of personality.

For example, Geronimo Stilton is quite the “scaredy-mouse”, but he is always going on an adventure and facing lot of fears to get there.

Have your child pick a favorite character and follow his/her character development throughout the story.

4. Nurture a love for famous mystery novels and authors.

If your geek level is as high as mine, and I assume it must be if you’re reading this post, you’ll love the fun facts that pop up for adults too.

These books are a great bridge to a study about other famous mystery titles and authors.

There’s even a nod to some characters you might recognize like Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s well-known fictional Belgian detective.

What a fun way to introduce your reader to other books, authors, and the mystery genre!

5. Cultivate a love for history and geography.

Not only does Geronimo Stilton live in the center of New Mouse City, he reluctantly travels around the globe.

Each book will land the reader in a new place.

10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books

These books are great for learning state facts, especially New York, and they’re also the perfect addition to a history and geography study about where the setting takes place.

6. Have some cheesy food fun.

Geronimo Stilton is a cheese connoisseur. He eats lots of cheese.

He talks about cheese and makes “punny” jokes about cheese.

It’s impossible to not want to snack on some cheesy delights of some kind.

  • Create a cheese platter and sample some new snacks.
  • Make homemade macaroni and cheese.
  • Look at moldy cheese under a microscope.
  • Have a cheese fondue night.

7. Nurture a love for timeless treasures like antiques.

Any antique lovers out there? Well, you will love Geronimo Stilton’s eye for timeless treasures.

If your kids are into antiques, visit a few thrift stores and hunt for treasures.

Check out American Pickers or Antiques Roadshow.

8. Learn how to plan a trip.

Plan a vacation to the destination in your book.

Estimate the cost of flight, hotel, and car rental. Research prices on the internet to find the best deals.

  • How much will you need to for food and spending?
  • What activities will you do while you’re there?
  • Add the cost of excursions or admissions to special events or destinations.

9. Learn how to face fear.

Geronimo must face lots of fears to travel, solve mysteries, and go on each adventure.

These are a great way to talk to your kids about fears, anxiety, and coping skills.

10. Learn about nurturing family ties.

I love the Geronimo is a family guy!

He spends a lot of time with his nephew, Benjamin and his sister, Thea.

It’s a great opportunity to focus on the importance of family.

  • Create a family tree.
  • Research your family’s origin.
  • Send an email to a family member to brighten their day.
  • Do something nice for a sibling.
10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books

Have you tried this series with your children? I know you’ll fall in love with the books.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books Resources

10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten

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Choosing the best homeschool phonics curriculum for kindergarten is one of the first places to start when choosing kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

After all reading is the foundation of every other subject you’ll be teaching.

And teaching phonics to your child doesn’t have to be as frightening as some make it sound.

10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten

In addition, many programs teaching reading have a public-school mindset meaning the earlier the better in teaching a child how to read.

While that may work for some children, other children benefit from waiting longer before you introduce a phonics program.

However, all children benefit from direct phonics instructions whenever your child has his start.

Also, arming you with tips after 20+ years of teaching children how to read, I want you to be confident to trust the process.

Homeschool Phonics

However, to trust the process, you need to understand the process.

And it will help you if you know some of the mindsets which exist in the reading world.

When I started homeschooling there was still much debate between whole language teaching versus direct phonics instructions.

As I mentioned that was over 20 years ago. I feel the debate goes on still.

However, I feel that children use both skills to read.

Do all children need the same amount of exposure? Absolutely not. But they all benefit.

Unfortunately, some homeschool families who think their child needs less instruction do not find out until later.

10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten

The real struggle or lack of instruction does not show up until third or fourth grade. Sometimes even later.

What is the Science of Reading

So, I remember the first time I heard the term the science of reading. I delved into it.

Basically, it means to understand that research has been developed into how a child learns to read.

Because we want to teach in a way that nurtures how the brain learns to read, we need to be aware of the process.

As you can tell, reading and understanding the science of reading is a comprehensive topic now.

Homeschool Phonics Kindergarten

Instead of trying to understand the science of reading which can take professionals years, focus on knowing that teaching phonics in a sequential approach with 1:1 teaching is the most effective.

Sight words have a place too. But what are sight words?

Sight words are words that teachers expect kids to know (memorize) by sight. Children are wired to articulate or sound out words. But some children with strong memory skills can learn sight words. Basically learning a sight word just means recognizing a symbol and deciphering it.

Children with special needs or who may not have strong memorization skills can fall behind with this process.

If that is the case, work through the other senses to help a child with special needs or a struggling child.

For example, you can:

  • point out the part of the sight word your child may be able to articulate. Some sight words have a pair of letters which make a sound your child may know.
  • play games with the sight words.
  • have the child write the word and then take away the first or last letter and have him write it in. This can help to makes strong connections in the brain.
  • use sensory writing. Have your child write in shaving cream, in rice, on the wall.

So, take time to help your kids learn sight words while you choose the best homeschool phonics curriculum for kindergarten.

10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten

Also, I’ve included hands-on manipulatives below too.

Other Homeschool Kindergarten Phonics Resources:

Then, you’ll love these other phonics resources below:

More Tips for Beginner Readers

11 Best Phonics for Homeschool Kindergarten

Teaching kids how to read doesn't have to be hard, you just have to have the right tools.

You'll love these phonics resources.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid is another fun book in the series of Geronimo Stilton books. It is the second book in the series.

Elementary students will love taking their favorite Geronimo Stilton book and turning it into a mini unit study with a few hands-on activities.

The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid is another adventure for Geronimo Stilton. He is off to Egypt to the Great Cheese Pyramid.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

So, this hands-on activity I am sharing with you today, mummifying a Barbie gives kids a little bit more understanding of the mummification process.

And you can easily tie in science and history perfectly with the fun book The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid. Matter of fact most of the books highlight some kind of geography or history.

Even if your kids are older like middle or high school the same activity can be altered to make it a bit more challenging so that the whole family can join in.

Books Of Geronimo Stilton

If you don’t know about Geronimo Stilton books let me give you a quick little overview. The fun series is aimed at early readers or ages 7 to 10 years old

And they follow the many and varied adventures of Geronimo Stilton editor and publisher at The Rodent’s Gazette.

Too, they read similar to a graphic novel.

For instance, the words are highlighted in different fonts, sizes, and colors. The series make it an engaging read for kids.

They are silly and outlandish which makes it especially great for reluctant readers.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

Another point about the different fonts and colors of words are that some are for emphasis.

However, quite a few make great lessons for vocabulary, spelling words, and introduction to the eight parts of speech.

So be sure to make note of the words for several chapters.

And have your child look up the words and make flashcards to round out this mini lesson.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

You certainly can use this fun book as a spine for language arts. Too, you can use this spine as independent reading or for a read aloud.

Ancient Egypt Mummifying a Barbie Craft

However, one of the best parts of each book is that you can add hands-on activity as Stilton is always on a globe-trotting adventure.

Today, since Stilton is off to Egypt, we learned about mummies in Ancient Egypt

Look at this short list of supplies to make a Barbie mummy.

  • A Barbie or similar doll (we grabbed a cheap one from Dollar Tree)
  • Gauze
  • Cooking oil
  • Salt (we used Epsom since we had that)
  • large dish big enough for the body to lay in
  • Essential oils
  • Scissors and construction paper

First, we made a death mask from construction paper and laid it aside.

Your kids can get elaborate with this part or keep it simple.

Then we made simple canopic jars by drawing them on paper.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

After drawing the jars, we cut them out and taped them into a tube shape. 

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

A quick google search will show you what each of the four gods, Hapy, Imsety, Duamutef and Qebhsenef looked like and which housed which organs.

We also used our TOOB Organs to examine the organs closely,

Then, we laid them out and talked about each function as the kids pretended to extract the organ and place it in the canopic jars.

Barbie Mummy

Next, this portion of the activity can be done or finished while you read aloud.

Have your child finish the death mask. And let your child draw them with whatever art medium they choose. We used markers.

First, the brain was pulled out through the nose, but considered unimportant in ancient Egyptian times, it was just tossed out. 

Then, the stomach, intestines, lungs, and liver were extracted and placed in the correct jar.

The heart stayed in place in the body. Use tweezers for this part and let them pretend they are extracting each part.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

Next, Egyptians would cover the body in salt to remove all moisture, this would take weeks but for the sake of time we waited just a few minutes.

We used Epsom salt as we had a ton on hand already.

And then we placed our prepared body in a large tupperware container and covered it in salt as well as we could.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

Finally, the body would be anointed with oils and wrapped,.

If you have some on hand add essential oils to a little bit of cooking oil to add to the sensory experience, pour over the entire body. 

We tightly wrapped our Barbie head to toe and then affixed her death mask with a bit of tape.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

Obviously, you know your child best and can include the parts that you would choose and gloss over those that might be too much for a younger child.

For example, for older children you can add ideas like labeling the organs, give them spelling and vocabulary words like sarcophagus, hieroglyphic, and etc.

Too, you can extend the lesson by having them give a presentation in front of the whole family on the mummification process.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid covers everything from mummies to pyramids as well as mentions of camels, pharaohs, and the eye of RA, giving you a large base for a unit study.

I can’t wait to dig in a little deeper and share more hands on activities with you! What do you think? Are you going to add this to your list of hands-on activities?

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

Other Resources You’ll Love

How to Effortlessly Blend Kindergarten Homeschool Subjects & Life

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Blending kindergarten homeschool subjects and life doesn’t make it easy to determine kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

However, today I’m helping you to know how to effortlessly blend the kindergarten subjects with what you’re doing naturally every day.

Further, don’t forget up to this time you have not used any curriculum in your instruction.

Sometimes very little kindergarten homeschool curriculum is needed.

In addition, families vary in their needs, but all children benefit from a gentle and relaxed approach to the kindergarten homeschool subjects.

How to Effortlessly Blend Kindergarten Homeschool Subjects & Life

Moreover, it’s important to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

And it begins what the subjects that are foundational and the subjects that can be folded into your day naturally.

Beginning my journey 20+ years ago, I didn’t have to make a choice about common core and by the time the No Child Left Behind act was passed, I was well on my way to homeschooling.

Because the educational world can be muddled to trek through, I will give you a glimpse of what is important at this age.

Essential Kindergarten Subjects

Too, it’s important for you to first to know what subjects you need and want to teach.

1. Begin with the subjects your local homeschool law requires.

First, begin with your local law.

No, you don’t choose homeschool curriculum first because your local law could be relaxed or it could be rigid. And your curriculum can help or hinder you meet state law.

Choose curriculum after you’re familiar with the subjects you must teach.

2. Second, focus on math and language arts which are your essential subjects

Then, know what are foundational subjects for kindergarten.

Although curriculum companies tout that you need all subjects, the truth of it is that math and language arts are the key components.

How to Effortlessly Blend Kindergarten Homeschool Subjects & Life

But, I know you want details because that is what I needed to when teaching my first child.

What’s more look below at this list to see what skills you need to focus on.

ESSENTIAL SUBJECTS IN KINDERGARTEN
MATH | LANGUAGE ARTS (Tip: The subjects vary by age and grade.) For Kindergarten, the subjects are Reading, Phonics, and Writing.

SKILLS TAUGHT IN MATHSKILLS TAUGHT IN LANGUAGE ARTS
Know the ordinal numbers up to 10, but recite numbers to 100Names the parts of a book like cover, back, and inside pages. Understands which direction to hold the book And knows that a story has a beginning, middle and ending .
Knows how to compare two groups to understand the more than, less than and equal to.Recognizes the letters of the alphabet and understands that the letter represents sounds.
Recognizes shapes, and understand patterns ABC, AABBCC, ABBCC, ABAB, etc.
Identifies money.
Is familiar with conventional measuring tools like rulers, but starts with unconventional tools like a pencil.		Can see that we read right to left and top to bottom. Associates sounds with symbols for writing and begins with inventive writing which letters can be indistinguishable. And practices adding new words to his vocabulary.
Compares objects based on size and capacity.Can retell stories and can even act them out.
Counting by 10s and understands what is a pair.Begins to learn and recognize signs from his community like stop signs, etc.
Is familiar with a clock and the numbers on it.Recognizes his name and attempts to “write” it.
Becomes familiar with word that represent position like under, through, on top of, etc. Also, begins basic addition and subtraction by learning how to group sets and break them apart.Begins to sound out and read CVC words like cat, rat, and sat.

3. Decide how to pair kindergarten subjects with life skills.

Next, look at these skills above which are normally introduced in curriculum through a scope and sequence or order.

Kindergarten Subjects

So, you can either use a laid-out curriculum or continue to do what you’ve been doing up to this time in your child’s life.

For example, look at how I effortlessly blended the kindergarten homeschool subjects with life skills.

  • Reading aloud increases your child’s vocabulary, ability to retell, and encourages him to act out what he has learned.
  • Point out words or signs in your home and community to explain their meaning and what they say.
  • Provide plenty of pictures books to your child to look at and dream about.
  • Plant a garden to cover science, measuring, and “write’ on plant markers.
  • Instead of using the app on your phone, have your Kindergarten help with a grocery list.
  • Encourage your kindergarten to understand money by adding some to his piggy bank and paying for small items with your supervision.

early learner planner

Kindergarten Homeschool Ideas

Also, here are more ideas of things you’ve probably already been doing.

  • Take care of a pet and learn to measure the pet’s food or medicine.
  • Practice and recite rhymes. Rhymes are not just child’s play but the foundation to hear rhyming and syllables of a word. These skills are the beginning of phonics. Eventually, the sounds will be put to writing to learn spelling. It’s important to rhyme.
  • Use paint brushes, q tips, sticks, to ‘”write” with.
  • Bake cookies and learn fractions and the measurements on the cups.
  • Take a nature walk and look for patterns in nature. For example, look at the repeating patterns of petals and the seeds in the head of a sunflower.
  • Do crafts and make a clock with moving hands.
  • Play games like uno and dominoes to learn number and additions.
  • Use popsicle sticks and glue on 10 beans and use as a counter for 10s, 20s, and etc.
  • Use these fun rock crayons which encourage the correct grip prior to holding a pencil.
How to Effortlessly Blend Kindergarten Homeschool Subjects & Life

Moreover, as you can see all of this can be done without worksheets. Puzzles, play props, and play-doh should still be part of kindergarten.

Do not give up what you’ve done for the first five years of your child’s life. Learning doesn’t always have to be divided into subjects.

Finally, if you need a curriculum, remember to use it as a framework, but do not make it the ultimate way a child learns.

What things are you naturally doing with your kindergartner each day where you’re blending learning and living?

How to Effortlessly Blend Kindergarten Homeschool Subjects & Life

Other Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Resources

Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Delightful kindergarten homeschool curriculum which promote a love of learning can be hard to find. Find my other tips for Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum on my page.

Not only will I share how to choose a delightful curriculum, but I’ll explain the essentials.

Besides, it’s hard to choose a curriculum if you don’t know what subjects to teach.

Another important part of a kindergarten homeschool curriculum is the hands-on part.

Kindergarten aged children learn best by playing, exploring, and discovering.

Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning

When a curriculum for kindergarten is overly focused on academics instead of promoting a love of learning, a child’s start can be stunted.

From the beginning, all children have a love of learning.

So, it’s important that whatever resource you use to teach your kindergartener that it will continue to nurture the love for learning.

First, what is a delightful kindergarten?

Appreciating how to sort curriculum begins with what you know and don’t know.

Back 20 years or so ago, it was much easier to choose a kindergarten homeschool curriculum because educators mostly agreed that children should play learn.

Now with a shift in education, there is a mindset that more lessons, earlier academic lessons, and a busier schedule works. It does not.

Instead, I’ve seen young adults push back at being what they perceived as over achieving or forced learning.

From the parents perspective, they thought they were conscientious educators.

What a horrible mistake to make.

Some of those families who started their homeschool journey when I did have a strained relationship with their young adult kids. How sad.

This may sound dramatic, but the truth of it is from kindergarten, their parents constantly pushed their children. Being overly ambitious bites.

As I mentioned briefly, defining what is delightful will help you to match curriculum with a child’s development.

What is Delight-Directed Study

And the BEST description of what is delight-directed learning still comes from Greg Harris which I read over 25 years ago.

A delight-directed study is like a wonderful fire in the mind of a student. It starts small, but as it grows, it begins to consume vast amounts of information until it bursts into a roaring blaze of insight, understanding, and creativity. It takes on a life of its own. — Gregg Harris

Can you see why what you choose from the beginning matters?

What Kindergarten Subjects to Teach

Now, learning what is foundational to teach and what part of a body of knowledge can wait or added in later matters.

From the meaning of delight-directed study, the essential kindergarten subjects are math and language arts.

Taking this a step further, the components of language arts change from kindergarten to high school.

For example, composition is a component of language arts, but that skill is not necessary until about fourth grade.

Before you can narrow down your choices for language arts, you need to know what is language arts.

Language arts includes all facets of English. Phonics, reading/literature, spelling/vocabulary, grammar, composition, penmanship, and even oral speaking are the components.

What are the Kindergarten Language Art Subjects

As you can see a kindergarten homeschool curriculum should not cover unnecessary language arts.

When a program does this, it takes away from the basics.

It is not nurturing lifelong learners by stuffing in academics.

The language arts components to a kindergarten curriculum for homeschool are phonics, reading, penmanship, and oral speaking.

Language arts is learning to both write and speak English.

Let’s not make this any more complicated than it must be.

Also, if you want a big picture of the subjects to teach, you’ll love my online self-paced course, Teaching the Stages of Homeschool.

Best Language Arts Curriculum for Kindergarten

With that being said, look at some of my favorite language arts programs for kindergarten.

I have listed both all-in-one which means all subjects are purchased together and separate components.

Moreover, I have listed a variety of the best language arts curriculum for kindergarten because you need to decide what are you needs this year.

For example, if you’re just teaching one or two children you can hand pick a phonics and reading program.

If you have a sweet handful of younger learners where you’re outnumbered, you may want to go with something put together already.

However, the best part of homeschooling Kindergarten is when you can hand pick each component.

There are so many wonderful resources now in the homeschool world which benefit your kids.

Best Language Art Separate Components

Learning through nature, hands-on games, and interactive content are some of my favorite ways.

All About Reading

Whether you’re teaching kindergartener handwriting (hopefully not too much) or you want to teach them to read, you’ll love these resources.

Moving on to math, it is the second important component of a kindergarten program.

Homeschool Math Kindergarten and Supplements

Too, math is best learned hands-on with math manipulatives.

Some programs push a child to give up the concrete for the abstract of ideas too soon.

  • Math U See Primer
  • Math U See Manipulatives Starter Set and Completer Set with Wooden Storage Boxes

I’m an advocate of keeping math hands-on as long as the child needs it not until a certain grade.

And some days you should skip formal math lessons in favor of a fun game. There is NOT a subject that can’t be taught through either a board game, card game, or a fun app.

Furthermore, the fun subjects are what keeps kindergarten fun.

Although language arts and math are the foundation, science, geography, history, art and nature are just as important.

However, remember to keep it a skinny lady in your teaching so that you stay clearly focused on what is important.

The skinny lady subjects are math and language arts.

So, when you become overwhelmed, focus on those two content areas.

History Curriculum for Kindergarten

Whether you’re looking for geography books for kindergarten, history books for kindergarten or history activities for kindergarten, you’ll love some of these resources.

And don’t forget I have these fun Westward Expansion Coloring sheets to engage your young historian.

Science Curriculum for Kindergarten

Finally, here are some fun kindergarten science homeschool curriculum resources.

Before you jump into choosing, you’ll need to decide if you want to use one which is Christian-based, secular, or faith-neutral.

I find that most resources I can tweak to my worldview or what is important to me.

In other words, just be aware but don’t get caught up in too much worldview at this age.

You have much time as your child grows to help him think critically. At this age, let him explore the world around him.

However, what I like more are science kits and games because science is about doing.

  • Magic School Bus science club through (The Young Scientist Club) has 12 kits with the program and each kit has a 12 page colorful manual. For ages 5 to 12 years old with younger kids needing some supervision.
Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning
Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning

Finally, remember that forced learning before a child is ready can not only hamper, but harm a child’s ability to love learning.

Kindergarten Curriculum

A child needs to explore in nature, have plenty of time indoors and outdoors to play, and not be rushed when he is intrigued.

It’s not hard to pique curiosity at this age. Follow your child’s lead in what interests him, and he’ll carry that same love of learning all the way to high school and into adulthood.

What do you think? See anything that can help you or do you have questions?

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