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October 2025
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Pre-k - 6th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
Language, Learning, and Literacy What Parents Can Do
WHAT CAN PARENTS DO? As a parent, there are so many simple yet impactful ways to help your child further their language development, and you can keep it fun. • Talk with your child, not just to them. Aim for lots of conversational turns during meals, play, and errands. Ask open-ended questions like, “What was the best part of your day?” and expand on what they say. For example, “Yes, the park was muddy. Squelchy is a great word!” • Read together every day and make it a dialogue. Pause to talk about the pictures, predict what’s next, and connect the story to your child’s life. This dialogic reading style boosts children’s language skills. • Shared reading and broader print exposure are linked to language, reading, and spelling growth. • Grow vocabulary naturally. Use rich words in context (“enormous,” “whisper,” “investigate”), explain new words briefly, and revisit them in later conversations and books. • Tell stories together. Ask your child to retell a favorite part of the day in order (first/then/last), or to make up a story with characters, a problem, and a solution. Narrative practice strengthens language that later supports writing and comprehension. • Play with sounds and print. For young children, you can clap syllables, play “I Spy” with starting sounds, and write names, lists, or labels together. These playful routines connect language to early reading and writing. • If your family is multilingual, keep it multilingual. Use the language(s) you are most comfortable with. Strong language in any language supports learning, and you can still read and talk about books in English together. THE BOTTOM LINE Language grows through everyday talk and shared reading, becoming the engine for reading comprehension and writing. Small, consistent habits at home make a big difference. At The Reading Ranch, we specialize in building these essential language and literacy skills step by step to help children become confident readers and writers. Visit ReadingRanch.com to learn more about our programs and how we can help your little learner today.
Have you ever wondered how a child goes from small words and noises to full-blown conversations, stories, and reading independently? It all comes down to language, something you can help them build at home through activities like singing together, sharing bedtime stories, or even chatting in the grocery store. Let’s break down how language develops, why it’s tied so closely to reading success, and how you can help nurture it for your little learner.
WHAT IS ‘LANGUAGE’? When we say “language,” we mean a child’s system for understanding and using words and sentences to share ideas through talking, listening, reading, writing, or signing. Professionals often describe language in three parts: form (sounds/grammar), content (word meanings), and use (social/ pragmatic skills). HOW DOES LANGUAGE DEVELOP? Children build language through everyday interactions like back-and-forth conversations, play, songs, stories, and real-life experiences. Research shows that interactive conversational turns (when your child says something, you respond, and they respond) are especially powerful for vocabulary and grammar growth, and even predict later language outcomes. LANGUAGE MATTERS FOR READING AND WRITING. Reading comprehension depends on two big pieces: word reading (decoding) and language comprehension. This is known as the Simple View of Reading. As children grow, strong oral language, including vocabulary, syntax, and background knowledge, becomes a major driver of understanding what they read. This is echoed in Scarborough’s “Reading Rope,” a comprehensive reading model showing word recognition and language comprehension strands woven together into skilled reading.
—Tammy L. Stephens, Ph.D. 1
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Frightful Feelings About Reading How to Help Your Child Feel Brave With Books
HAUNTED BY HARD WORDS Sometimes, the words in a book look scary if your child has difficulty sounding out words or understanding new vocabulary. Reading can feel frustrating and intimidating when they can’t work through a word or don’t know what it means. Some of the best ways you can help them overcome this fear are by reading out loud with them, taking turns reading, and encouraging them. Praise them when they can say a tricky word, and remind them of other times when they succeeded on a reading challenge. STAGE FRIGHT If your child expresses that they dislike reading out loud or tends to avoid reading in front of others, they could be afraid of judgment from their classmates or family members. It could also mean their classroom environment is loud or crowded, making it hard for them to focus or feel supported. Create a quiet, safe space at home for them
October brings pumpkins, costumes, and plenty of spooky fun, but ghosts and goblins aren’t the only scary things lurking around the corner for little learners who are struggling with reading. For some children, there’s nothing more frightening than the words on a page. But, just like you can chase away a monster under the bed, you can encourage and support your child so they can find the treats in reading.
and encourage them to practice reading aloud. Let them pick out a book or comic that interests them to help keep it fun, or make a game out of it, like wearing costumes. GHOSTS OF READING PAST We all make mistakes, but past errors and the fear of failure can cause children to shy away from books. Your little one may remember feeling embarrassed about their struggles with letters or maybe was teased for mispronouncing words. Continuous practice can help them become more confident, as well as give them choices on the topics they want to read about. Remind them that when we are learning, we all make boo-boos along the way. Celebrate the small wins. Reading doesn’t have to be scary. At the Reading Ranch, we help children face their reading fears and turn spooky words into exciting adventures. Contact us today!
Chapter Book Countdown Signs Your Child Is Ready to Read Longer Stories
THEIR WORD BANK Your child’s vocabulary and ability to use context clues can also tell you if they’re ready for chapter books. They should have a reasonably large word bank before they move to these stories, as they may have more words than books they are used to reading. More than anything, they should understand how to figure out unfamiliar words by looking at the rest of the sentence. You can try the “five-finger rule” by having them open up a page and raise a finger for each word they don’t know. If they lift 1–3 fingers, they should be able to read the book. Anything above that may need extra support or be a little tricky at this point. Many chapter books for kids still have illustrations, so opt for one with pictures to help them figure out new words. By watching for signs and testing out their vocabulary and memory, you can get a sense of your child’s readiness for more challenging chapter books. No matter where they are on their literacy journey, The Reading Ranch can help every reader build confidence and a joy for books!
Are you wondering if it’s time for your child to make the leap from picture books to chapter books? Moving into more complex stories is an exciting milestone on your little learner’s journey, but it doesn’t look the same for every young person. While some children are eager to dive into longer books with more detailed plots, others need more time. Children typically start chapter books around ages 7–9, but watch for the clear signs they may be ready to get an early start. MEMORY IN ACTION Unlike the stories your child has been reading up to this point, chapter books take multiple sittings to finish. You must remember what happened in the previous chapters to understand where the plot and characters are going next. If your child shows signs they remember stories for several days after reading them, it may mean they have enough memory to advance to chapter books. After you read something together, ask them questions about it the next day. You can also ask them to draw pictures based on the book or retell the story chronologically.
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Fright Lite Kid-Approved Halloween Movies for Cozy Nights
It’s that boo-tiful time of year when jack-o’-lanterns line every porch, costumes come out of hiding, and the witching hour is for scary movie nights! Whether you’re in the mood to giggle over ghouls or spot some not- so-spooky specters, your Halloween film fests don’t have to scare your little ones to deliver family-friendly chills this season. We’ve conjured up the best kid-approved holiday horror movies that are more treat than trick — perfect for popcorn, blankets, and fun-filled evenings with your little monsters! ‘HOCUS POCUS’ If you like your witchy watches to be the perfect potion of comedy and nostalgia, 1993’s “Hocus Pocus” will leave your kids spellbound. This Halloween classic follows a group of local kids who accidentally awaken the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of witches out to steal children’s souls so they can stay beautiful forever. Filled with fun characters, a spooky atmosphere that’s more silly than scary, and even a catchy musical number, this movie remains a favorite for goblins of all ages. ‘IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN’ For generations, families have watched alongside the Peanuts gang as they carefully waited for the Great Pumpkin to arrive. The Charlie Brown Halloween special is a cute, scare-free option that’s sweet and full of heart. Appropriate for even the youngest ghouls, this short movie captures the festive spirit of fall without giving anyone nightmares (unless you have bad dreams about Lucy pulling the football away just as Charlie Brown is about to kick it). This is the perfect option for little ones who might not be ready for scary stuff. ‘THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS’ “Nightmare Before Christmas” combines creepy charm with the warmth of Christmas as two very different worlds collide. Using impressive stop motion, the story follows Jack Skellington of Halloween Town as he tries to bring Santa and Christmas traditions to his community. Though it has plenty of spookiness, it has enough humor and whimsy to keep it lighthearted. The character design, infectious songs, and overall theme of staying true to yourself make this an excellent watch for either holiday.
Creamy Braised Short Ribs
Enjoy the hearty taste of fall with these flavorful braised short ribs in a creamy herb sauce.
INGREDIENTS • 5 lbs bone-in short ribs • Ground black pepper • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced • 6 garlic cloves, chopped • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • 1 cup white wine or broth
• 1/2 cup water • 1 cup heavy cream • 1 cup chopped kale (optional) • 4 tbsp salted butter, divided • 8 fresh sage leaves
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 325 F.
2. In a large braiser, season short ribs with black pepper. Scatter onion, garlic, and thyme over ribs. Pour in white wine or broth and 1/2 cup water. 3. Cover the braiser with a lid and roast for 2 1/2–3 hours. 4. Increase temperature to 400 F. Remove the lid, skim excess fat, and stir in heavy cream, kale, and 2 tbsp butter. Roast uncovered for 10–20 minutes. 5. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Melt remaining butter and fry sage leaves until crisp. 6. Serve ribs hot with creamy sauce, garnished with sage.
Inspired by RecipesByJanet.com
So, grab your candy corn, dim the lights, and let these not-too-scary classics bring frightful fun to your family!
Candy Gourd Haunting Leaves Libra Marigold Moon Opal Pumpkin Soup Teachers Touchdown Take a Break
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214.449.1406
Pre-k - 6th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
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As cooler temperatures, golden leaves, and holidays roll in, fall is one of the best-kept secrets in fishing. While many pack up their rods after summer, savvy anglers know autumn is when the real magic happens. Fish feed aggressively as they prepare for winter, and the crowds of people enjoying the water have thinned out. A few tweaks can level up your fishing game this season, whether you’re chasing bass, crappie, or trout. TARGET SHALLOW WATERS As temperatures drop, baitfish like shad move into the backs of creeks and embayments. Predatory fish such as bass and crappie follow, Where, When, and How to Hook Fish This Fall Autumn Angling
FOCUS ON STRUCTURE Fish gravitate toward structures like
making these areas hotspots. Focus your efforts on these shallow zones to increase your catch rate. EXPERIMENT WITH DEPTHS Fall turnover can scatter fish throughout various depths. Don’t hesitate to try different depths until you locate active fish. Using a fish finder can help you identify these productive zones. FISH THROUGHOUT THE DAY Unlike summer, when fish are most active during dawn and dusk, fall fish feed more consistently throughout the day. This allows for flexible fishing schedules without the need for early starts.
submerged wood and rocky banks during fall. These areas provide shelter and warmth, and targeting them can lead to successful catches. MATCH THE CATCH In fall, baitfish grow larger. Adjust your lure size and color to mimic the prevalent forage in your fishing area. This increases the likelihood of enticing bites. EXPLORE STOCKED WATERS Many lakes and streams are stocked with trout and catfish in the fall. These fish are often eager to bite, providing excellent opportunities for anglers. UTILIZE LIVE BAIT Live bait can be particularly effective in cooler temperatures. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and shad can more effectively entice sluggish fish than artificial lures. MONITOR WATER CONDITIONS Fall often brings changes in water levels due to drawdowns. Stay informed about these conditions, as they influence fish locations and behavior.
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