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hvparent.com n Hudson Valley Parent 21 original fiction stories written by professional children's authors, and opportunities for children to submit their own writing and artwork. Read on the go Download audio books to your child's MP3 player and he can listen while he shoots hoops. "In your hand, you have access to a huge wealth of stories for when you're sitting in a waiting room or on car rides on a device that kids want to interact with to begin with," says Kevin Doyle, a staff writer for knowonder.com. Share your e-reader According to a 2012 study in the International Journal of Applied Science and Technology, upper ele- mentary and middle school children, especially boys, read more books when provided with an e-reader. The e-readers provide privacy (no one needs to know your child's reading level), they're lightweight and the book is readily accessible at all times. Get creative Carie Beth Russell, an educator and mom of two, has her daughters rewrite dialogue by covering picture book text with sticky notes. "Ask your kids to draw while you read aloud. Visualizing the story is a skill that must be acquired," she says. Be a role model Set aside daily quiet time for family reading. Create a peaceful and cozy reading nook in your home with a comfy chair and blanket. "Laugh out loud at literature. Cry. Let your kids see you be moved and transported by text," Russell says. "Join a book club and let them see that you value books by the way you spend your time. Buy lots and lots of books at locally owned shops and visit the library each week." Dads should make it a point to read in front of their children, too. Boys look to male role models when deciding if reading is a masculine activity. Christa Melnyk Hines is the mom of two boys and an avid reader. Rule out health issues Learning disabilities, hearing and eyesight issues aren't always immediately obvious, but can quickly sour a child's attitude about reading. "Not only should you listen as your children prac- tice reading, but also watch their eyes. A correctable eye problem can cause difficulties," says Mar- lene Bosak, a children's librarian whose son struggled with an eye coordination issue for years. 6DWXUGD A R T S L A B @ NEW PALTZ Classes run for 8 weeks. Scholarships are available. www.newpaltz.edu/sal 845.257.3850 SaturdayArtsLab@newpaltz.edu FALL 2014 Classes offered in the visual arts, theatre and music for K-12. To sign up, please visit the Customer Service Desk located in the Food Court or register at www.Poughkeepsie GalleriaMall.com Tuesday, July 22 Tuesday, July 29 Tuesday, August 5 Tuesday, August 12 club galleria poughkeepsie galleria pediatric dentistry pediatric dentists children's dentists kids' dentists art classes children's art classes clubs