Focus on the Family Magazine - August/September 2023
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics. Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics.
Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
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KIDS & TEENS / HACKS & FACTS<br />
Reading<br />
STUFFED ANIMAL STORY TIME<br />
When I’m doing chores, my child gets a stuffed animal and a book.<br />
He sits in a comfy chair that’s strategically placed right beside my<br />
housework area. My s<strong>on</strong> reads to his “friend” while I keep an eye <strong>on</strong><br />
him and get my work d<strong>on</strong>e.<br />
—Amy Knowles<br />
create your<br />
own book<br />
daily<br />
devoti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Seeing that my s<strong>on</strong><br />
needed more variety<br />
in practicing reading,<br />
I encouraged him<br />
to tell me his own<br />
stories. I bought blank<br />
books or used stapled<br />
paper to write down<br />
his words. Then, he<br />
illustrated <strong>the</strong> pages.<br />
Because he was eager<br />
to create his own<br />
stories, he was more<br />
willing to read. I’d point<br />
out sight words or new<br />
letter groups like “ch”<br />
or “sh.” He began to<br />
see that if he wanted<br />
to read more interesting<br />
stories, he’d have to<br />
do his ph<strong>on</strong>ics less<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
sound it out<br />
We let our kids read<br />
a picture book to<br />
<strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> family<br />
before bed. Having<br />
every<strong>on</strong>e’s attenti<strong>on</strong><br />
encourages <strong>the</strong>m<br />
to sound out words,<br />
even when it’s difficult.<br />
This nightly experience<br />
helps build <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
c<strong>on</strong>fidence and be less<br />
anxious about reading<br />
<strong>the</strong> assigned readers<br />
from school.<br />
We’d take turns<br />
choosing and reading<br />
a daily devoti<strong>on</strong>. For<br />
my family, this worked<br />
best in <strong>the</strong> morning<br />
over breakfast when<br />
every<strong>on</strong>e was rested<br />
and refreshed. My<br />
children also seemed<br />
to absorb more from<br />
<strong>the</strong> devoti<strong>on</strong>s that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y could choose to<br />
read aloud.<br />
Not <strong>on</strong>ly did my<br />
children get more<br />
practice reading,<br />
but <strong>the</strong>se peaceful<br />
moments also became<br />
<strong>on</strong>e more way that our<br />
family spent quality<br />
time toge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
ALICIA BROWN-STOCKSY<br />
—Anna Hannigan<br />
—Elizabeth James<br />
—Farrah Adkins<br />
8<br />
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA<br />
AUG / SEP <strong>2023</strong>
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