Check out our December newsletter!
December 2025
214.449.1406 ReadingRanch.com
Pre-k - 6th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
THE MAGIC OF BEDTIME READING
BUILDING LANGUAGE, BONDING, AND JOY
Bedtime is one of the most peaceful moments of the day, and it can also be one of the most powerful for a child’s development. Research shows that reading aloud at night helps support early brain growth, builds language skills, and strengthens family connections. For toddlers especially, bedtime reading doesn’t have to look perfect; it simply needs to be consistent, loving, and engaging. One of the most effective ways to read with young children is lap reading. When toddlers sit on a caregiver’s lap, they feel safe, calm, and connected. This closeness helps them stay focused as they look at the pictures, touch the pages, and hear the soothing rhythm of a familiar voice. Many children look forward to this moment because it’s not just about the story; it’s about feeling loved and secure.
During lap reading, it’s helpful to point to images and name the objects. When a caregiver says, “Look, that’s a puppy!” or “Here is the moon!” the toddler learns new words and begins to understand how language connects to the world around them. Even if the child doesn’t repeat the words right away, their brain is soaking in countless vocabulary experiences. This type of shared reading supports speech development, early comprehension, and the ability to follow simple stories. Toddlers also benefit from being invited to turn the pages, even if they flip ahead, go backward, or skip around. The action of touching and moving the pages teaches early book- handling skills and gives them a sense of independence. It’s perfectly normal for young children to point to things they find interesting, make sounds, or ask for the same book every night. Repetition helps them learn. Dr. Kim’s granddaughters especially enjoy these nighttime reading moments. Whether pointing excitedly at a picture of a dog or trying to say the word “ball,” they are building the foundations of language. Their father, Dr. Kim’s son-in-law, often joins in by making silly voices or encourages Josie and Whitley to point and name the objects, turning bedtime reading into a family routine filled with laughter and imagination. These traditions become cherished memories that children carry with them as they grow. The beauty of bedtime reading is that it doesn’t require expensive materials or complicated activities. All it takes is a comfortable lap, a simple book, and a willing reader. In these small, quiet moments — naming objects, sharing smiles, and gently turning pages — children experience the true magic of learning. And as Dr. Kim’s family shows, these nightly rituals create bonds that last far beyond childhood.
Bedtime reading, language development, and lap-reading with toddlers, featuring Dr. Kim’s granddaughters and son-in-law.
—Dr. Kim Southwell
1
ReadingRanch.com
Unwrap the Magic of Books This Season TURN HOLIDAY TRADITIONS INTO STORYTIME ADVENTURES
The holidays are here, and with all the festivities and family time, it’s a perfect opportunity to unwrap the magic of books with your children. Books make great gifts, but there are also fun ways to mix reading into some of your beloved seasonal traditions or create brand-new ones. From opening a new book every night as part of a holiday countdown to learning about new holiday traditions worldwide, you can find countless ways to make reading a joyful part of your celebrations. CREATE SEASONAL READING RITUALS. No matter what holidays you celebrate, you can use books to build excitement up to the big day. Create a holiday book countdown or book advent calendar where your children get to unwrap a new book for each day. You can choose as many days as you want and opt for easy, fun picture books. Read the
stories together each night, giving everyone a page to read out loud. Create a holiday book stack by collecting the seasonal books in your collection and piling them in the living room. Not only will it be a unique decoration and keep books front and center, but it will also encourage your family to open them up. Add a new book each year to make it into an anticipated family tradition. You can even include stories about festive traditions and holidays from all over the world to teach them how other cultures celebrate. GIVE PAPERBACK PRESENTS. When your children are creating their wish lists, encourage them to include books. You can use the “want, need, wear, read” technique to help guide them and make your holiday shopping easier. Ask them to select one item for each category that they would like. This will give them an active role in the
home library and help them learn about wants versus needs. When family and friends ask what to get your children, point them to age-appropriate stories. A love of reading is one of the best gifts we can share with our little ones. The holiday season is a wonderful time to make books part of your most beloved celebrations. If you want to give your child the gift of reading and writing confidence, contact The Reading Ranch to learn more about our programs.
Snow Much Fun Keep Kids Reading and Writing All Winter Long
Books on the Road If you’re going on a family vacation or day trip over the break, bring books along for the ride. One of the best options is an audiobook. You can pick out a story as a group, and the kids will enjoy listening to the actors read the parts while they listen along. This is a great way to enjoy storytelling together and gives them an example of what animated reading out loud sounds like. Just because school is out for the winter, it doesn’t mean there has to be a deep freeze on your children’s reading and writing progress. By setting time aside for learning and keeping things fun, your little learners will see storytime as another perk of the holiday break.
simple as 30 minutes of reading or journaling, or you can add enriching field trips to local museums or the library. Schedules help kids stay on track and ensure everything they have learned stays fresh. Real Life Practice Words are all around us in everyday life, so your children can get practice by helping with household errands or activities. Spend time preparing meals together, and have them read the grocery list and cooking instructions. This will introduce them to new words and give them practice in following directions, an essential skill in the classroom. You can also have them write holiday cards or thank-you notes. It’s a practical way to get more writing experience and helps drive home the importance of gratitude.
As the school days grow shorter and children prepare for the winter break, many kids’ attention spans start to drift. As parents, there are ways to help keep your little learners excited about writing and reading, even when their brains are already in vacation mode. By scheduling time for learning activities and a few creative ideas to keep it fun, this time outside the classroom can still be full of reading and writing growth. Winter Warm-Up Keep their skills sharp this season by creating a winter break work routine. You can make a calendar and keep it somewhere everyone can see, and include a learning activity or small assignment to complete daily. These can be as
2
214.449.1406
During the last Summer Olympic Games, Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn’s performance caught the world off guard. After watching the event, many Americans wondered why breaking was added to the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for choosing the events, and they consider a wide range of criteria when considering adding or removing events. They look at how long the sport has existed, its popularity within the host country, the cost to broadcast the events, and whether an international federation governs the sport. Breaking was a hit at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics and was added to the 2024 Paris Games to drive engagement with a younger audience. The IOC has already announced that breaking will not return for the 2028 games in Los Angeles, joining a list of other sports dropped from the Olympic stage. Think breaking was a little outside the box? Then you won’t believe some of the events from past Olympics. Plunge for Distance (1904): Plunging was a sport in which participants dove into the water from a spring 18 inches above the surface. They floated for 60 seconds without propelling themselves forward, and whoever went the farthest won. Only five individuals competed in the event, and all were American. Ballooning (1900): Technically an unofficial event at the 1900 games, ballooning consisted of various hot-air balloon-related activities. They held competitions for the farthest distance traveled, longest time traveled, greatest height achieved, and landing closest to a target. Motor Boat Racing (1908): Competitors got in their boats to travel five laps around an 8-nautical-mile course in the Southampton waters of England. This event was a complete disaster. Multiple boats would start each race, but in almost every instance, only one would cross the finish line, as strong winds heavily affected the others. Ski Ballet (1988 and 1992): While never an official Olympic event, ski ballet was demonstrated at two Olympic Games, anticipating its potential as a real event. Imagine figure skating on skis instead of skates. Competitions required participants to complete a choreographed routine in 90 seconds on a smooth slope. Check Out Our New Podcast! Exciting News: We’ve launched a brand-new podcast filled with insightful conversations and valuable content! NOT YOUR AVERAGE OLYMPIC SPORT STRANGE EVENTS YOU’VE PROBABLY NEVER HEARD OF
Roast Beef With Caramelized Onion Gravy INGREDIENTS • 1 tbsp black peppercorns • 1 tbsp mustard powder Gravy • 4 tbsp flour
• 2 beef stock cubes • 3 tbsp caramelized onion chutney • 2–3 tsp yeast extract
• 1 tbsp dried thyme • 1 tsp celery seeds • 1 tbsp olive oil • 4 1/4 lbs topside joint of beef
DIRECTIONS 1. With a pestle and mortar, crush peppercorns, mustard powder, thyme, and celery seeds together. 2. Stir in oil, then rub into beef. 3. Preheat oven to 375 F and set seasoned beef in a snug roasting pan. Roast for 1 hour. 4. Remove from the oven, lift onto a platter, and cover with foil to rest 30 minutes. 5. For gravy, pour juices from the pan into a large measuring cup. 6. Let the juices separate, then spoon 2 tbsp of fat back into the pan. Discard remaining fat. 7. Top juices in the cup with boiling water to make 3 cups total liquid. 8. Heat pan with fat over medium heat and stir in flour, stock cubes, onion chutney, and yeast extract. 9. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, and gradually add juices/ water. Bubble to thicken and serve with the beef.
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
Cardinal Cookies Frosty Gingerbread Gifts Menorah Mittens Peppermint Pinecones Sagittarius Snowball Yule Take a Break
3
ReadingRanch.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
6991 Pecan St., Suite 200, Frisco, TX 75034
214.449.1406
Pre-k - 6th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
ReadingRanch.com
Locations 9705 Tehama Ridge Pkwy. Suite 151 Fort Worth, TX 76177 771 East Southlake Blvd. Suites 99 & 102
6851 Warren Pkwy. Suite 203 Frisco, TX 75034 101 West McDermott Dr. Allen, TX 75013 5881 Virginia Pkwy. Suite 450 McKinney, TX 75071 670 N Preston Rd. Prosper, TX 75078 701 N Preston Rd. #200 Celina, TX 75009 3115 West Parker Rd. Suite 210 Plano, TX 75023
Southlake, TX 76092 580 S Denton Tap Rd. Suite 220 Coppell, TX 75019 5925 Forest Ln. Suite 130 Dallas, TX 75230 111 Dallas St. Argyle, TX 76226 6991 Pecan St. Suite 200 Frisco, TX 75034
TRACKS AND TREASURES
SCENIC RAIL JOURNEYS WORTH RIDING
lead to the Swiss Alps. The Glacier Express’ 292-bridge/91-tunnel track from Zermatt to St. Moritz gives passengers a personal view of picturesque valleys, mountain streams, and alpine meadows. Often referred to as “the slowest express train in the world,” it travels 24 miles per hour, allowing you to feast your eyes on the scenery through its panoramic windows. Boasting millions of passengers in its decades-long history, the Glacier Express
Flying over beautiful landscapes can be exhilarating, but what if you could experience those beautiful sights in a closer and more personal way? With railway vacations, you can. Whether you’re a seasoned train traveler or curious about cruising on the tracks, here are three travel options you can only experience and appreciate on the rails. A EUPHORIC EUROPEAN ESCAPE While there are plenty of thrilling sights to behold in America, the glamorous international excursion of the Venice Simplon-Orient- Express is incomparable. From its pristinely preserved 1920s/1930s-era carriages and stunning Art Deco interior to its remarkable gourmet food (including breakfast in bed!) and live entertainment, this world-renowned train will take you through Venice, Paris, Istanbul, and other legendary European destinations. A SYMPHONY OF SWISS SCENES For many travelers seeking some of the most breathtaking visuals imaginable, all rails
has earned its rightful place as one of the most celebrated names in tourism. AN ALASKAN ADVENTURE If you’re looking for railway adventures closer to home, consider hitting the tracks in Alaska. Since 1903, the Alaska Railroad has provided travelers an intimate way to explore what later became our 49th state. Getting a seat will guarantee a breathtaking journey through scenic landscapes, national parks, fjords, snow-capped peaks, and valleys brimming with wildlife. For the ultimate Alaska experience, opt for the Alaska Railroad’s GoldStar Service, which offers glass-dome ceilings for panoramic nature viewing, a full-service dining room, and a one-of-a-kind upper-level platform for additional sightseeing. The next time your wanderlust inspires you to explore new wonders, skip the plane and take a train!
4
214.449.1406
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator