This post was sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.
As most of you know, I’ve got three little ones {that are growing up WAAAAY too fast and need to slow down}. And I’m also sure that most of you are well aware that little minds are very curious minds at an extremely early age. They seem to constantly be discovering a new way to do something or ask about 400 questions until they figure something out. And, I’m really not exaggerating on the 400 questions. My four and a half year old must ask at least that many questions, if not more, in a day. His little mind is constantly spinning and wondering and trying to piece together this great big world, and I LOVE IT. I’ve always been a lover of learning. I’m sure that’s why I enjoyed school {and have a fondness for school supply shopping that only another true school supply shopper aficionado would understand}. That’s probably also why I became a teacher, and finally, I’m sure that’s why I {well, and obviously my husband decided as well}, that I would homeschool our three kids.
We began this year with Pre-K and have really gotten into a groove. My almost 5 year old is thriving, learning, writing, counting and recognizing coins, reading, and most importantly….constantly asking about the world around him. He’s curious and eager to get the answers he’s seeking, and that makes me absolutely giddy with excitement. It’s an amazing thing to witness a child learn, and I feel so very blessed to be able to witness it daily with my three little ones.
I was thrilled when Houghton Mifflin Harcourt asked me to share their #SparkAMind campaign with my readers because I believe in so many of the same things they do when it comes to children and sparking their curiosity to learn and grow.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt believes –that everyday moments can spark curiosity and stimulate the mind in an instant. These individual moments of curiosity add up to something much bigger – a lifetime of learning. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt wants to highlight the importance of these intellectually enlightening moments that make a lasting impact in our children’s lives.
So what can you do to help the campaign?!
Use the #SparkAMind hashtag so it will appear on their mini-site and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will donate a children’s book to an early learning organization to help close the early education gap and prepare children for long-term success in school and in life. They are making it a purpose to capture these learning moments and create a place where everyone can share ideas and find inspiring ways to spark a mind.
Did you know that in middle-income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children. (Neuman, Susan B. and David K. Dickinson, ed. Handbook of Early Literacy Research, Volume 2. New York, NY: 2006, p. 31.) And, 61 percent of low-income families have no books at all in their homes for their children. (Reading Literacy in the United States, 1996.)
Another way to help boost your little one’s curiosity is to use The Curious World app, an early learning app designed for kids ages 3-7 with over 500 fun and educational games, videos, and books. AND, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has kindly offered all Wait ‘Til Your Father Gets Home readers a discounted subscription rate. The first 30 days will be free PLUS you’ll receive 20% off your monthly subscription. Just use code SPARK20 before April 30, 2016.
Follow Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on social media:
#SparkAMind Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
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