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helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

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    • phonological awareness
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    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
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listen to what kids are saying: highlights state of the kid report

home / family life / parenting / listen to what kids are saying: highlights state of the kid report
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One thing I love about the great team behindย Highlightsย for Childrenย is that they listen to kids.

They read every single letter sent to them. Over 50,000 letters are sent to Highlights each year, and over 50,000 letters are read by Highlights each year.ย  Each letter gets a personal response.

Every. Single. Letter.

Because Highlights really believes that kids need to be heard.highlights state of the kid cover

So for the last four years, Highlights has created and shared the Highlights State of the Kid Report–a report that asks kids questions–and really, truly listens to their answers.

I had the opportunity to read the report and share my own reflections on the findings–and speak at the State of the Kid Press Conference in Ohio late last fall, and I’m thrilled to finally share it with you.

Parents, teachers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, caregivers, administrators–anyone and everyone who works with children–should take time to read the report because it’s worth your precious time. It really is.ย  And I totally get how busy you are.

highlights state of the kid welcome

The State of the Kid Report is informative, insightful, and surprising. And the results should help you–let them to some degree guide your interactions, decisions, conversations, and judgements about kids these days. I know I have.

Because kids are so smart. And sometimes they pick up on more than we think they do.

Here’s the skinny. . .

  • Listen to What Kids are Saying — Highlights State of the Kid Report, 2012: Really, the Report touches on everything from school to friends to the president, but most importantly, it touches on what is important in the hearts and minds of children.

 

highlights state of the kid panel

Proud to be with my fellow panelists: Dr. Sasha Ribic, Suzanne Bloom, Dr. Julie Justice, Amy Lupold Bair

highlights state of the kid panel

ย The State of the Kid Report shares answers to questions like:

  • If you could trade places with a character in a book, who would you like to be? Why?
  • What is your favorite way to read?
  • Which of the following qualities is MOST important for a president?
  • What advice would you give to kids on how to be friends with kids who are very different from them?
  • If everyone in the world would listen to you for a day, what would you say to them?

What I love about the Report is that Highlights has asked that children write their responses–and you can read some of them right there in the report. There’s something really powerful about reading, in a little person’s handwriting, what he or she would say to the world if given a chance.

I like it. No–I love it.

highlights state of the kid

Save $5 on Highlights Magazine

And after you take a look at the State of the Kid Report, you can view In Their Own Words — a webcast of our panel as we discuss the findings and report results. The amazing, incredible Highlights Editor-In-Chief,ย  Christine French Cully, moderates the panel, and as is the case every time I am with her, I am in awe of her grace and eloquence.

Every single person on the Highlights, High Five, and Hello teams whom I spent time with was just as fabulous as Christine French Cully. They love what they’re doing, and what they are doing is creating worthwhile and meaningful content for our young readers.

I loved meeting and spending time with my fellow panelists: crazy smart and totally sweet Dr. Sasha Ribic; super-famous author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom; literacy researcher and educator, Dr. Julie Justice; and my longtime friend, Amy Lupold Bair, Twitter party superhero and blogger extraordinaire.ย  Their thought, insight, and reflection blew me away.

Check out the photos from our few days in Ohio with our friends from Highlights:


It was an absolute honor to participate in this event, and I am thrilled to have been invited. Words cannot adequately express how amazing it is to work with a company that respects and views children this way.ย  Highlights magazines have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember; Highlights was the very first magazine subscription I ever received–and it’s something that I truly feel helped me develop a love of language, reading, and learning from the time I was very young.

Now Maddy, Owen, and Cora are fans of Highlights and High Five, racing to the mailbox when they know it should be there, laughing at Goofus and Gallantยฎ, racing through the Hidden Picturesยฎ, trying the crafts, reading the rich content, and talking about their learning.ย  I’m grateful.

We’ve written about Highlights many times before, but if you want some Hidden Picturesยฎ Lunchbox Love Note fun or want a little Magazine Hunt action in your house, feel free to check out past posts.

Here’s to hoping that all the amazing parents, educators, and caregivers who read this blog will find some important takeaways in this year’s Report.ย  Please let me know what you think! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section!

 

fyi: Many thanks to Highlights for inviting me to participate in the 2012 State of the Kid Report. I am grateful and honored to have been a part of it.

This is an unsponsored post, and all opinions and ideas are my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator.ย  I am, though, a part of a Highlights affiliate program, so if you would like to try a subscription for your own little ones, please consider using one of the links below.ย  Many thanks!

Save $5 on Highlights Magazine
fyi: Some of the links in the post above are โ€œaffiliate links.โ€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissionโ€™s 16 CFR, Part 255: โ€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.โ€ ย For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.ย 

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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This bouquet will last forever!

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THE perfect gift for the tweens and teens in your life: zulily.gfpv.net/gb2NAA

@zulily #ad #giftsfortweens #giftsforteens
View
Open
Celebrate, we will! โ€˜Cause life is short but sweet for certain. . . 

What a weekend. So incredibly proud of all of these talented athletes!

๐Ÿ† 3rd in the state of Maryland for @sherwoodcheerleading ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿค

UMD Womenโ€™s Basketball won todayโ€” great job by @marylandcheer โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ–ค

#lovethesegirls #cheerweekend #marylandlife #lifeinmaryland #moco
View
Open
This Sugarfina Advent Calendar is what your teens want. 

$33 shipped TO YOUR DOOR w my 10% off and FREE SHIPPING!

Normally itโ€™s $60! 

I have been sharing my fave, super-COOL, Advent Calendars for teens and adults in my stories today!

This one right here was ours from last year, and we โค๏ธ LOVED it!

It is made by @sugarfina and each day we were surprised with FABULOUS sweet treats! 

Good-bye to the ole, crappy, tinfoil chocolates. Weโ€™re taking fun, new, and different candies each day of the month!

Grab it here: zulily.gfpv.net/MX9Ngn

#linkinbio @zulily #adventcalendars #adventforteens
View
Open
Hey #MoCo Voters, Itโ€™s #ElectionDay2022! 

Do you need a ride to the polls? If you do, @VOTE411 and @lyft has got you covered! 

So, #NoExcuses. Get out there and make your voice heard!

#VotePlan #VoteReady #expectus #MomsDemandAction #appleballot #MCEA
View
Open
Get out and VOTE. 

Please. 

Not sure where to vote? https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

#midtermelections #getoutandvote๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ #linkinbio
View
Open
Did you have a chance to join my IG live today?

It was a rainy, gross Sunday here in Maryland, and I shared one of my top picks for the holidaysโ€”> LEGO but for BIG KIDS. 

Or GRANDPARENTS. 

Or PARENTS. 

Actually ANY grown-up who likes to unplug once in a while and CREATE. 

I showed how I was doing with the LEGO Flower Bouquet (๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’๐ŸŒผ) and how many other awesome sets are 15% off and FREE SHIPPING (yayyyyy!!) over on @zulily ๐Ÿ’œ. 

Check it out. Theyโ€™ve got a ton of sets to choose from, like 
Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Friends, Disney, Mario Brosโ€”you name it. 

Find them here: https://zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

Fab prices + free shipping = BIG WIN. 

#linkinbio #ad #LEGOforgrownups #everyonelovesLEGO #holidaypicks
View
Open
LEGO at 15% off and FREE SHIPPING! 

Check out the AWESOME set that is PERFECT for teens, grandparents, and ANY grownup who likes to create! 

This bouquet will last forever!

๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’

Use this link โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

#bestgiftsforkids #grandparentgifts #ad #LEGOforgrownups @zulily
View
Open
WHAT HAS ARRIVED FROM @zulily !?

Since Zulily carries such a vast array of items, it could be ANYthing: 

๐Ÿ’œ boutique-style clothes or shoes

๐Ÿค brand-name clothing & shoes

๐Ÿ’œ toys

๐Ÿค books or magazines 

๐Ÿ’œ pantry items, snacks, & treats

๐Ÿค haircare or cosmetics 

๐Ÿ’œ pet toys, treats, or accessories 

๐Ÿค personalized gifts

๐Ÿ’œ houseplants, seeds, or bulbs

๐Ÿค basics for kids through adults

๐Ÿ’œ craft supplies and kits

๐Ÿค furniture or home goods

๐Ÿ’œ designer handbags, sunglasses, or belts

๐Ÿค luxury items and gifts

๐Ÿ’œ sports equipment 

๐Ÿค sports gear for ALL fansโ€”NFL, MLB, NCAA, you name it

๐Ÿ’œ small appliances & kitchen items

๐Ÿค towels, sheets, blankets, linens

๐Ÿ’œ home storage & organization items

๐Ÿค coats, hats, scarves 

๐Ÿ’œ just about anything you can imagine!

Follow my stories for the deals and steals for families and educators, or check the Zulily Highlight!

Especially nowโ€”as we move into the exciting holiday seasonโ€”I will more frequently share items, and they will MOVE QUICKLY! 

So make sure you are checking in regularly, and pleaseโ€”if you are looking for specific items and a specific price point, let me know! 

I am happy to do some research to help you out!

๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ

#zulilypartner #linkinbio #ad #holiday #giftgiving bestgifts

Want to check it out for yourself? zulily.gfpv.net/teachmama
View
Open
๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸฅ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸจ

THE best toy for kidsโ€”and classrooms!โ€”is on sale right now. 

The 101-piece PicassoTile Building Set (WITH CARRYING CASE!)
is only $34.99 on Zulily WITH an extra 15% off!

Stock upโ€”think: teachers, daycare providers, classrooms!
AND birthdays, holidays or rainy days!

This is a toy that I cannot recommend highly enoughโ€”perfect for littles through elemor middle school. 

From a tween I know and love: The *click* of the magnetic blocks is so satisfying, and honestly, theyโ€™re just really fun and relaxing to use. 

๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸช๐ŸŸง๐ŸŸฉ

hereโ€™s the link that will get you AN ADDITIONAL 15% off โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/JrDdbE

And remember: FREE SHIPPING ON orders of $89+

#ad #linkinbio #besttoysforkids #dealoftheday

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