Read on below to learn more about MegaSkills Learning Recipes and how to use them.

What's In A Home Learning Recipe?

A home learning recipe has to meet certain standards to qualify for the program. I explain these ingredients for two reasons: (1) so that you can see how the "recipes" in this book were prepared, and (2) so that you can create home learning recipes on your own, long after you complete those in this book.

A home learning recipe has to:

*Tie to Schoolwork but Not Be Schoolwork: Children need ways to succeed at home that are different from school but at the same time help them succeed in school. Parents need ways to help their children learn other than by nagging, "Did you do your homework?"

*Be Serious and Be Fun at the Same Time: Every "recipe" in this book has a serious academic purpose. Not one says it will teach you how to have fun with your children. You know how to do that. The trick of these "recipes" is that you will be teaching an awesome subject such as responsibility and having fun at the same time.

*Have a Teachable Focus: When you teach responsibility, for example, you start by teaching one part of it, like "following directions." And you look for a practical, concrete way to teach it. You don't send a very young child upstairs to "clean a room." You send a young child to do one thing: to make the bed or to vacuum the rug or to open the shades. It's even helpful to resist sending an older youngster to "to clean up that whole mess at once." Good teaching is a step-by-step operation.

*Be Easy to Do, Take Little Time, and Cost Little or No Money: Parents can teach and learn with their children joyously, without worry, without hassle. That won't happen with "recipes" that only a martyr parent could or would do.

You won't find activities in this book on how to weave baskets or design chessboards with children. I was never able to rush out for Popsicle sticks or other special arts and crafts items after a day at work. I needed activities that could be done alongside my household routines, using whatever I had at home. Today's busy parents need these easy-to-do "recipes" more than ever.

Not every parent is a born teacher. I try to provide a "handle" or a strategy for teaching so that you can jump right in with "recipes" that, for example, help children organize their belongings or know what to do when the TV is turned off. I want you to use these ideas to take off on your own, using your and your child's creativity to come up with additional "recipes."

Different "Recipes" For Different Ages

It makes sense that what works for pre-schoolers won't work for fifth grades. Parents have to be ready to change gears as children grow. The "recipes" for each MegaSkill give activities for children of different ages.

Around ages four through six, many of the "recipes" have to do with getting ready for school and using primary school subjects like counting, sorting, and early reading at home.

Around ages seven through nine, many of the "recipes" focus on helping children get organized, build study skills, and develop sold work habits.

Around ages ten through twelve, "recipes" work toward helping children understand themselves, their friends, and their family. Activities aim at developing greater self-reliance, building career awareness, and establishing healthy habits and self-esteem that can help prevent destructive habits, such as drug abuse.

These are not hard and fast age and grade distinctions. Many four-year-olds will enjoy a "seven-year-old" activity, and vice versa. Use all and any of the activities that appeal to you and your child. I indicate ages only to provide some guidance for selecting activities. I hope that all of the activities in whole or in part will be useful to everyone.

Providing activities that span the age ranges is a challenge. Some activities for the ages-four-to-six group may call for some reading skills that are more appropriate for six-year-olds than for four-year-olds. For children who do not yet read, I recommend that parents read all directions aloud, that children dictate their ideas for parents to write, and that symbols be used alongside words as needed. In labeling a dresser drawer, draw a sock next to the word "socks." In marking off danger points at home, use a sign next to the word "danger." In making lists of what to do in the morning, draw pictures to show toothbrushing and so forth. Don't worry if your children are not reading early, but provide clues that will gradually ease them into reading.

The "recipes" are designed to be used at any time, summer and vacation days as well as school days. What parents do with children over the summer can make a great deal of difference in their school success.

The Making of A Learner

One "recipe" will not result in overnight, cataclysmically positive change. If it does, I want you to be sure to get in touch with me immediately.

Work out your own schedule - but guard against overkill. Once a week is really fine. You can build a whole year of activities as you go along. Remember that abilities in academics are not so different from abilities in sports. Just as in sports, it takes practice to gain confidence, to acquire motivation, and to achieve.