INCREASING YOUR CHILD’S FOUNDATION FOR READING

By Tynesha Smith

The parent's role is essential in connecting young children to the world of reading.  Here are some ideas from the National PTA to help get started:

• Have a Book Blast! Surround your child with language through books. Read rhymes and stories; talk with them about the words and sounds in books. Kids are curious about how language works. Capitalize on what interests them, and let stories and words become a part of your daily lives.

• Bet on the alphabet. Give your child opportunities to play with the alphabet and experiment with sounds. Use magnetic letters or paper and crayons for writing. Try alphabet books and CD-ROM reading programs.

• Play phonics games. A wonderful place to start is with the letters and sounds in your child's name. Or, ask her/him to tell you all the "b" words on the table (for example, bread, beans, bacon).

• Play with words. As you read with your child, point to the words on the page and stretch out some of the sounds. That way he/she can see and hear how language is put together. When he/she begins reading without you, focus on ways he can figure things out on his own. Questions like, "How could you figure it out?" and "Does that make sense?" have been shown to foster an independent sense of problem solving.

• Team up with teachers. Most important of all, become partners with your children's teacher. Together, you can have the power to grow your children into readers and writers, which will pay off for the rest of their lives.

• Make time for reading! Find 15 minutes somewhere in your day for these ideas for quick reading fun:
1. License to read - On car trips, make it a game to point out and read license plates, billboards, and interesting road signs.
2. Better than TV - Swap evening TV for a good action story or tale of adventure.
3. Look and listen - Too tired to read aloud? Listen to a book on tape and turn the nook's pages with your children. You'll still be reading to them!
4. Labels, labels, labels - Label things in your children's room as they learn to name them. Have fun while they learn that written words are connected to everyday things.
5. Pack a snack; pack a book - Going someplace where there might be a long wait? Bring along a snack and a bag of favorite books.

How To Improve Your Office Space

By Tonya Love

Here are some simple tips to turn your office into a home away from home.

• Select a theme for your office. (A favorite hobby would be a great starting point.)

• Look for pictures and artwork that incorporates your theme.

• Use accents (picture frames, lamps, and etc.).

• Select additional items to bring to your office that will remind you of home.

• Try to find ways to incorporate color into your office. ( pillows, accent rugs, and chair cushions)

Make sure the current layout of the office works best for you.

Essential Exercise Information for Pregnant Women

By Sondra Etchison

The information in this article is listed in the August/September 2004 edition of Fit Pregnancy Magazine.  The following is a summary of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ guidelines for exercising while expecting that new bundle of joy! (Obstetrics & Gynecology 2002; 99: 171-173).

1.  Pregnant women are encouraged to engage in 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise on most, if not all, days of the week.  Always check with your physician before beginning any exercise program.

2.  After the first trimester, pregnant women should avoid standing motionless for too long and exercising while lying on their backs.

3.  Participation in a wide range of recreational activities appears to be safe.  However, activities with a high risk of falling or abdominal trauma should be avoided; these include basketball, soccer, in-line skating, downhill skiing, horseback riding, ice hockey, gymnastics, and vigorous racquet sports.

4.  Scuba diving is not safe at any time during pregnancy.

5.  Exertion at altitudes of up to 6,000 feet appears to be safe.  However, engaging in physical activities at higher altitudes carry various risks and should be avoided.

How much weight should you gain?  Here are the recommendations from the Institute of Medicine.*

(End of Excerpt)

Your Voluntary Bank Teller: Tina Player

In case you didn’t know, Tina Player is your voluntary bank teller for Church Koinonia Federal Credit Union.  She has been actively opening new accounts and taking deposits for church members since its beginning in January 2000.   Many members normally see her on Sundays with their deposits.  Tina ensures that your monies are promptly deposited into the credit union or bank on Mondays.  As the volunteer bank teller, Tina makes saving convenient.  She helps you to not make excuses for being unable to get your monies into your account on a regular basis. 

If we haven’t said so, we regular depositors appreciate Tina and thank her for taking the time to help us help ourselves.

In case you did not know, the World’s Church of the Living God is a member of the Church Koinonia Association, and you are eligible to become a member of the Church Koinonia Federal Credit Union.  Members of our satellite churches are also eligible.  The minimum initial deposit is $30.00, which includes a $5.00 membership fee to join and $25.00 for a share.

Church Koinonia Federal Credit Union would be a good place to start building your assests.  You can start your savings with a small amount and then increase your savings to a larger amount as you see fit.  Just save regularly! Regularity in saving boosts your financial base, may improve your credit history, and creates assets for you to borrow money when you may need it.  Church Koinonia Federal Credit union just may be the place where you members in the satellite churches could save the monies that you really don’t want to touch right away.

JOYFUL NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS

Dismah and Maria pledged their love for each other on August 28, 2004, at the World's Church of the Living God in Chattanooga. The grand affair was said to be a very beautiful and romantic day for the happy couple.  Best wishes to both of you!

WELCOME LITTLE ONE

There's a new bundle of joy in the home of Willie and Kecia Moss.  Little Naomi Shanyale Moss was born earlier this month, weighing in at 6 lbs. 4 oz.  Congratulations on your new arrival!  Isn't she lovely?