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As I approached turning 60, I decided to challenge myself to try 60 new things during my 60th year. The idea was to push myself outside my comfort zone, try things I might normally say no to, and hopefully discover some new interests and experiences along the way. If you’d like to see how the challenge began, there are a couple of earlier blog posts below that share the first 23 things on my list. View from a helicopter over the Rocky Mountains I turned 60 in September. I spent my birthday in the Azores, exploring the island, swimming in natural rock pools, and having dinner and drinks at a jazz club. It was an incredible day! I find myself regularly thinking “no” when it comes to doing something - both new experiences and things I’ve done before. This challenge has made me pause and really consider that “no.” Am I really too tired? Is it really too hard or too scary? Is it really too expensive? Sometimes, I stick with my no. But more often than not, I decide to say “yes,” even when I’m not completely sure I want to. And I am always glad that I did. (Or at least, I can’t remember ever regretting saying yes!) I’ve learned that doing something often energizes me, so I don’t feel as tired as I thought I would. I’ve learned that I can do hard and scary things - and actually enjoy doing them. I’ve learned that I deserve to spend time and money on myself. And I’ve learned that trying new things makes me feel much younger than my 60 years. Here’s my list of new things I tried from May through September: 24. Stayed in a new Ontario Provincial Park - Pancake Bay It was beautiful. I walked along the sandy beach on the shores of Lake Superior and enjoyed the scenery. 25. Saw dinosaur fossils at Dinosaur National Park This park was amazing. It felt like stepping into the “land before time.” We hiked among different rock formations and saw fossils in the actual locations where they were discovered. 26. Visited a new province - Alberta The Rockies were awesome - in the true sense of the word. We spent a week exploring, and I think we said “Wow!” hundreds of times. 27. Drove through a hailstorm outside Calgary This happened in June. The hail was about the size of golf balls, but thankfully it was slushy and the storm only lasted about five minutes. It was so loud inside our van that my husband and I could barely hear each other, even though we were yelling. By the time it stopped, there were several inches of slushy ice covering the road. 28. Rode in a helicopter in the Rocky Mountains This is something I will never forget. It was several hours of sensory overload - stunning views, dizzying heights, and the incredible roar of the helicopter blades. We stopped in the mountains and hiked to a waterfall. Our pilot told us it had been quite cold and that this was the nicest day they had had in a long while. 29. Walked on the Athabasca Glacier and drank glacier water It was cold, windy, slippery, and amazing. How often do you get the chance to actually walk on a glacier? 30. Did a Skywalk on a glass-bottom walkway over a canyon Have I mentioned my fear of heights? This was really scary - and really exhilarating. 31. Went on a food tour in Victoria I’ve wanted to do a food tour for a long time, and I loved it. The food was delicious, especially the ube from a Filipino bakery, and I learned so much interesting information along the way. One of the things I learned was about Victoria’s Chinatown. It was originally built for workers on the railway, and those workers eventually left to continue building the railway farther into Canada. Today, the neighbourhood is quite multicultural but with very few Chinese people living or working there. 32. Learned to play Mahjong I learned both the American and Chinese versions. (American Mahjong is definitely more complicated!) I took lessons, practiced by playing online, and then spent an afternoon playing several rounds with some experienced players. 33. Visited a new country—Portugal Portugal was incredible. There were stunning views and amazing rock formations along the coast, wonderful food, and friendly people. And São Miguel, in the Azores off the coast of Portugal, may be the most beautiful place I have ever been. 34. Did a Port tasting We went to Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river from Porto, for a Port tasting. It was 10:30 in the morning, but it was so hot that we were mostly just happy to get into some air conditioning! I had tasted Port once before and didn’t like it. This time, we tasted five different ones, and I liked three of them. We bought several bottles to enjoy during our trip and bring home. We discovered that Port is really good with dark chocolate - the chocolate seems to mellow out the bitterness. We also had a white Port spritzer in the Douro Valley that was delicious. 35. Went sea kayaking from Benagil Beach in the Algarve This quickly became one of my favourite activities. Kayaking along the coast and seeing the caves and rock formations from the water was amazing. 36. Swam under a waterfall We found this little swimming hole in the middle of the forest and swam under the waterfall. It was surprisingly difficult to stay underneath it because the force of the water kept pushing me back out. 37. “Swam” in the biggest waves I have ever experienced At Santa Bárbara Beach in the Azores, I spent about an hour going back and forth between thinking “No, those waves are too big” and “Yes, I really want to try it!” Eventually, I said yes and had a blast. And then I had to be helped out by a pair of lifeguards while the waves smashed me into the sand. My swimsuit was filled with sand when I showered afterward! 38. Ate a meal cooked underground using geothermal heat São Miguel has several hot springs, and on our last day we had lunch at a restaurant that uses this ancient cooking method. The food is slow-cooked underground for 8–12 hours. My husband had the traditional dish of the region, Cozido das Furnas, made with various meats and vegetables. I had a beef Furnas stew, which was incredibly tender and delicious. Looking back at this list, I’m struck by how many of these experiences started with some version of “No.” Too scary. Too hard. Too tiring. Too expensive. Too unfamiliar. Too uncomfortable. And yet, saying yes has taken me on a helicopter ride over the Rockies, onto a glacier, into giant waves, under a waterfall, through Portugal, and into experiences I never would have had if I had listened to that first instinct to say no. I’m falling a little behind, though. I still have 22 more new things to try in the remaining three months of the year! I have several ideas, but I’m a little short. If you have suggestions for things I should try, please leave a comment or send me a message. Who knows? Maybe your suggestion will be the next thing that makes it onto my list.

If you haven’t already and would like to read about my experiences trying new things in January & February, you can find that post here - https://www.growingheartsandminds.com/post/honouring-60-trying-60-new-things-this-year-the-first-two-months When I started this challenge to honour turning 60 this, I wasn’t just looking to try 60 new things. I was looking to shake things up, step outside my comfort zone, and see what might happen if I said yes a little more often. Some of the things I’ve tried have been fun. Some have been uncomfortable. A few I would happily do again. And a few I absolutely would not. But each one has given me something, whether it’s a new experience, a good story, or a deeper understanding of myself. This is me riding a fat bike in the woods near me. Here are the new things I tried in March and April: I learned to play bid euchre. I have played euchre since I was a teenager and am learning to play bridge. I find euchre quite easy and bridge quite challenging so bid euchre feels like a great in-between. I have played several times at a local community centre and also play online quite regularly with my husband. I’ve always loved playing cards but didn’t often have the opportunity or people to play with. Now I’ve found a way to create those opportunities. I attended a sound journey retreat. This took place at a local community centre. We started the morning with a sound meditation, followed by a lovely lunch and then went forest bathing on snowshoes. It was a beautiful day and I left feeling both relaxed and energized. I would definitely do it again. I rode a fat bike in the snow. This was my husband’s bike and he had mentioned several times how much fun it was to ride. We have a small forest near us with hiking trails and because of all the snow, the path was quite narrow with soft, deep snow on either side. I found it really difficult to get started, there was barely any room to place my foot to push of, and almost as difficult to stay on the trail. I have no desire to do this again. I attended a women’s weekend wellness retreat. This is something I had always wanted to do but never invested the time or money into doing - something just for me. I loved everything about it… except the ice. The accommodations were rustic but charming, the food was vegan and delicious, the instructor was calm and inspiring, and the group was small (only five of us plus the instructor). We bonded very quickly. We meditated, journalled, did yoga, made bracelets, talked (so much), were vulnerable, laughed and cried. Our area had record snowfall this year and during the retreat the weather began to warm up. The melting and freezing created very icy conditions. The cabins didn’t have washrooms so we had to walk to the main building a short distance away. On the second night around 1:00 am I slipped and fell on my way back. A light mist was falling and every time I tried to stand my hands and feet slipped out from under me. After several attempts, I could feel myself begin to panic. So I stopped. I sat there on the cold, wet ice and looked around at the beautiful surroundings and the night sky. I felt the first signs of spring in the air and thought about how inspiring the women and the weekend had been. After sitting and breathing for several minutes, I shone my flashlight around and noticed a small patch of grass sticking up through the ice. I shuffled on my butt over to it and used the grass to keep my footing and stand up. I have thought about this moment many times since. Whenever I feel myself getting stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, I picture myself sitting there, in my pajamas, soaked through to my underwear and somehow still grateful. It reminds me to just breathe. I went to a spa. I had no real desire to go to a spa but thought I should at least try it, so I added it to my list. I ended up spending a morning at a local spa and had lunch there, all for free (thanks Mel). I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, and can definitely see myself going back. I drank Gatorwine. A friend shared an Instagram reel of a women named Nicole trying Gatorwine (Gatorade mixed with wine) for the first time. She was so funny and inspired me to try it for myself. She described it as “a life hack”, “you’re hydrating and dehydrating at the same time”, “it’s essentially health and wellness”. (You can google instagram reel nicoleleeanne6 trying gatorwine to see the video.) She said it tasted like sangria meets Koolaid, and honestly, that’s pretty accurate. It was better than I expected, but I think I’ll stick to plain wine or sangria. I saw an ABBA cover band at the local college theatre. I had been invited to a few different performances at this theatre and had been meaning to see something there. I finally did… along with a group of women. We made a night out of it by going out for dinner first. We had so much fun. The theatre is close to home and a good size, so I’ve been keeping an eye on upcoming events. I interviewed for a podcast. I shared my previous blog about starting this challenge in a Facebook group for retired teachers and was so surprised when someone reached out asking if I’d be a guest on her podcast, 85 After School. My first reaction was no. Honestly, it probably would have stayed a no if I wasn’t doing this challenge. I love listening to podcasts but being on one? That brought up all kinds of imposter syndrome… I hate the sound of my voice. Who cares what I have to say? What if I say the wrong thing? Before responding, I paused, took a breath and said yes to a discovery call. Nicole was warm, welcoming and helped ease my fears. So I said yes to an interview. (You can find the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.) What struck me afterward was realizing how often fear disguises itself as self-protection. I almost said no simply because being seen and heard felt uncomfortable. Somewhere along the way, I started believing that my stories, experiences, and perspectives aren’t important enough to share. Or maybe I had simply spent so many years protecting myself from judgment, criticism, rejection, or failure that I forgot I don’t always need that protection anymore. This experience reminded me that growth often begins the moment we stop waiting to feel confident and do the thing anyway. Am I still nervous? Absolutely. But I’m starting to realize that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s deciding that fear doesn’t get to make every decision for me anymore. I followed a specific food plan. I recently listened to a Mel Robbins podcast featuring Dr. Amy Shah. Dr. Shah is an MD and nutrition expert, specializing in women’s health, gut health and evidence based research. During the conversation, she shared her 30/30/3 framework for healthy eating: 30 grams of protein at each meal (especially breakfast) 30 grams of fibre throughout the day 3 probiotic foods each day What caught my attention was the list of benefits she said people could start to notice in as little as one week: improved energy and less fatigue improved mood and decreased anxiety improved sleep better digestion increased libido sharper thinking reduced hot flashes and night sweats a fitter figure, especially around waist feeling fuller with fewer cravings I decided to give it a try for one week, creating a meal plan that followed the framework as closely as possible. I even experimented with foods I didn’t like, such as cottage cheese (it’s the texture). Turns out, blended into different dishes, I didn’t even notice it was there. I also discovered I enjoyed fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented pickles and kombucha. I’m not sure I noticed dramatic changes overall, but I did notice significantly fewer nighttime cravings. Moving forward, I won’t follow this plan strictly, but I will include more probiotics and make sure I have protein at breakfast. Feel free to message me if you would like more information about the meal plan I followed and the recipes in it. I started a 7 day decluttering challenge. Full honesty, I’ve only completed 4 days of this challenge so far. We committed to spending at least 30 minutes a day for 7 days. We started with a few smaller spaces; a back hallway used for storage, our offices, the front hall closet and the bedroom closets. We also tackled some some outdoor areas. We donated quite a bit and took a couple of loads to the dump. We definitely exceeded our 30 minute goal over those first 4 days. While I wanted to move on to the garage next, my husband insisted on relocating a shed first, which turned into it’s own project. He’s almost done and I am determined to get to the garage for our final 3 days, hopefully by Mother’s Day. I attended a reiki healing session. This is something I’ve been curious about for years. While I’m open to various spiritual and mystical possibilities, believing that there are things beyond our current understanding, I can also be skeptical of individual practices. I decided to make the time to give reiki a try. I won’t go into too much detail, but I will say I felt better when I left. And I’ve continued to feel better, both physically and emotionally, in the weeks since. I joined an online women’s circle. I came across an open invitation from the wellness retreat instructor and immediately signed up. We meet virtually for six sessions. Each one follows a theme and includes whole group discussions, break out conversations, a few minutes of journaling and a short meditation. So far we’ve explored how we’re feeling, what we need to feel better, the “shoulds” and expectations holding us back and how to use our authentic voice. It’s encouraged me to slow down, reflect and go deeper each week. I got a tattoo. I’ve often said I would never get a tattoo. Then I was visiting a friend, chatting with her son, and he mentioned that he had done several tattoos on himself and his friends. I jokingly said I would think about it and maybe next time I visited he could do one for me. But I couldn’t stop thinking about it. One of the reasons I had never wanted a tattoo is because I didn’t know what I would choose. I wanted something simple, maybe a word or something from nature. I thought back to to that moment I fell on the ice and the idea of breathe. As my friend was getting some things ready for dinner I started scrolling on my phone and came across several different images of a dandelion wish. This felt perfect, a reminder to pause and just breathe. So, I asked my friend’s son if he could give me a tattoo right then and there. We agreed on a design, size and placement. Half an hour later, I had a new tattoo, done at my friend’s dining table. I love the tattoo. But I think I love my spontaneity even more. Overall, this challenge has been the push I needed to try some things I‘ve been putting off for a long time and to say yes to some things I otherwise would have avoided. Stepping out of my comfort zone has reminded me that I am stronger and braver than I sometimes think. I have some interesting, fun and challenging things planned for the next couple of months and I’m genuinely excited to continue this journey. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like some support on your life journey. Or check out my Facebook group, Busy Women Finding Balance, where we talk about boundaries, burnout, asking for help, and everything in between. As a bonus for joining, you’ll get free access to my 18-page goal-setting workbook, Beyond the To-Do List! It’s designed to help you reflect, prioritize, and take action—one step at a time. You can find the workbook in the Files section.

Last year, I retired. I expected to feel free. Instead, I felt a little lost. There were quiet days I hadn’t planned for. Less structure. Less built-in purpose. Fewer automatic social connections. And if I’m honest, moments of boredom and loneliness. This year, I turn 60. Rather than shrinking into that milestone, I decided to honour it. So I set a challenge:  Try 60 new things before the end of the year. That’s about five new things a month. Some are big. Some are small. Some are slightly uncomfortable. Some are just playful. But every single one is intentional. This is me doing my polar plunge... just trying to breathe. January: Starting Before I Felt Ready In January, I didn’t wait until I felt confident. I just started. In fact, I posted my intentions on my Facebook page so I could be held accountable. These are the 5 new things I tried in January: I tried durian.  If you don’t know, durian is a large, spiky Asian fruit… and very, very stinky — often compared to rotten feet. I had no intention of ever trying it. We were out for a family dinner at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and it was available. My husband asked if I was going to try it. I laughed and said, “Not!” He suggested it might be a good way to kick off my 60-new-things challenge. So I agreed. And because I was brave, everyone else at the table decided to try it too. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected. A little slimy. Mostly sweet, like a cross between pineapple and banana, with a hint of savouriness, almost like egg custard. I don’t need to try it again, but I’m glad I did. I did a polar plunge with my friend, Fiona.  Again, something I had always said I would never do. My husband and I used to laugh at people who did it and say, “Never in a million years.” But after trying durian and realizing discomfort didn’t kill me, I decided to go for it. Her husband cut a hole in the ice, which was several inches thick. It was freezing and windy. Wearing a bathing suit, hat, water shoes, and gloves, I climbed down a metal ladder from the concrete wharf into that dark hole. I stayed in up to my neck for about 30 seconds, just trying to breathe. The hardest part was climbing back up. One rung was coated in ice and too slippery to stand on, and my gloves kept sticking to the freezing metal. When I finally stood back on the wharf, I felt exhilarated. Completely alive. This one I may actually repeat, maybe as a New Year’s Day tradition. I joined a 55+ Community Centre with my husband, Tony.  So far, we’ve played euchre, table tennis and billiards. I learned to play bid euchre and have played that several times. There are always activities happening so whenever I am looking for something to do I know I can go there. I took a bridge class with my friend, Alison.  It was a couple of hours away from me so continuing in person isn’t practical. But we found a website where we can play together online, complete with video chat, so we can learn and catch up at the same time. It’s become connection and brain exercise rolled into one. And I can play bridge at my local community centre when I am ready. I attended a Buddhist centre.  This has been the biggest surprise… and the most impactful. I enrolled in a weekly class called Think Better, Feel Better  and one quote in particular resonated deeply with me, “When things go wrong in our life and we encounter difficult situations, we tend to regard the situation itself as the problem, but in reality whatever problems we experience come from the mind. If we respond to difficult situations with a positive or peaceful mind they would not be problems for us; indeed we may even come to regard them as challenges or opportunities for growth and development. Problems only arise if we respond to them with a negative state of mind.” That idea stopped me. As I continue attending, I’m learning to reframe my thoughts, manage my emotions, practice more compassion for others and myself and become more curious and less judgmental. And I feel more peaceful. Less reactive. Less stressed. Some of these experiences stretched me physically. Some stretched me socially. All of them stretched me mentally. February: Expanding My Circle In February, I kept going. Here are the 5 new things I tried this month: I started pickleball lessons with my husband. (It’s really fun!) I enjoyed Coldplay by Candlelight with my husband on Valentine’s Day. (We never do anything special for Valentine’s.) I visited 4 local places I have never tried while following the Hot Cocoa Trail in Barrie. (With two of my friends that I really like but don’t spend enough time with.) I took a qigong and tai chi class. (It was good, but I prefer to do it at home on my own for free.) I took a line dancing class at a country bar. (I've never been in a country bar, let alone done line dancing. I went with a group of local ladies and although it was quite challenging, we had a blast!) None of these changed my life dramatically. But collectively? They changed my rhythm. I was getting out of the house more.  Using my body.  Learning new skills.  Meeting new people.  Connecting in different spaces. What This Challenge Is Really About At the beginning of the year, this idea crossed my Facebook feed, and I decided to try it simply to pull myself out of a rut. I wasn’t expecting much. But after just two months, the benefits have surprised me. This challenge has: Encouraged me to try things I might have talked myself out of. Pushed me outside my comfort zone. Stopped me from waiting for the “perfect” timing. Helped me do things on my own instead of waiting for everyone’s schedules to align. Sparked creativity. Added some structure and purpose to retirement. Improved my physical, mental, and social health. Connected me more deeply to my local community. Reminded me that I can do hard or scary things. Created more joy than I expected. What started as a simple experiment has become something much bigger: a commitment to living this season of my life with intention instead of hesitation. The Ripple Effect When I shared this on Facebook at the beginning of the year, people reached out with ideas. Some suggested activities.  Some offered to join me. Some admitted they’ve been feeling stuck too. And some decided to create a similar challenge of their own. I learned that putting myself out there created space for others to do the same. There are still so many ideas I’m excited to try. I’ve never had such an energizing start to a new year and I’m genuinely curious to see where this journey leads. Why I’m Sharing This Turning 60 isn’t about proving anything. It’s about honouring this season of my life with curiosity instead of comfort. It’s about being intentional and staying open to new possibilities. It’s about building social health on purpose. And maybe, just maybe, it’s about reminding myself (and anyone else who needs to hear it): You are not done growing. Not at 60. Not after retirement. Not after a hard year. There is still room for new experiences, new friendships, new confidence and new joy.  Maybe this is your nudge to try something new. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like some support on your life journey. Or check out my Facebook group, Busy Women Finding Balance , where we talk about boundaries, burnout, asking for help, and everything in between. As a bonus for joining, you’ll get free access to my 18-page goal-setting workbook, Beyond the To-Do List!  It’s designed to help you reflect, prioritize, and take action—one step at a time. You can find the workbook in the Files section.

As a recently retired OCT (Ontario College of Teachers) teacher and lifelong learner, I am excited to bring my passion for helping others into a new role that aligns with my skills and experience. About Me Hi, my name is Barb. I’m a certified life coach, recently retired OCT teacher, and lifelong learner passionate about helping others reach their goals and navigate life’s challenges. Over the course of my teaching career, I mentored countless educators, supported individuals through difficult situations, and developed a deep understanding of how to foster growth and resilience. I'm always a work in progress, learning and growing as I strive to create my best life—just like the people I love to help. With 30 years of marriage and raising two wonderful children, I’ve gained invaluable insights into balancing personal and professional commitments, overcoming obstacles, and creating meaningful connections. I know firsthand how essential it is to have a strong support system — and how difficult it can be when that support isn’t readily available. Now, as a certified life coach, I’m excited to bring my experience and empathy into this new chapter. Whether you’re looking to achieve personal growth, build healthier habits, strengthen your family dynamic, or need practical support tailored to your unique situation, I’m here to help. I provide personalized guidance and create resources to empower you to move forward with confidence. Learn more about me by checking out some of my personal blog posts . Ready to take the next step? Click here to connect and discuss how I can support your goals! “I am incredibly grateful for the support and guidance Barb has provided. Her encouragement and insightful strategies have truly helped me boost my self-esteem and gain a more positive outlook on life. Barb has an amazing ability to listen, understand, and provide the right tools to help me navigate challenges with confidence. Thanks to her support, I feel more empowered and capable of achieving my goals. I highly recommend Barb to anyone looking to build self-confidence and achieve personal growth. ” ~ Nada A, Oakville, ON

Meditation & Journaling - Goal Setting & Habit Building - Motivation & Organization - Positive Mindset - Emotional Support - Coaching - Mind-Body Alignment - Meaningful Change - Personal Growth - Health Goals - Lifestyle Changes - Resilience Life Coaching My journey of personal growth has been a cornerstone of my life. Over the years, I’ve embraced transformative practices like meditation, journaling, reading, and listening to inspiring podcasts. These habits have brought me profound breakthroughs, reducing stress and anxiety while nurturing a deeper sense of love and acceptance for both myself and others. One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned is the power of the mind-body connection. By aligning my mental and physical well-being, I’ve experienced greater harmony, vitality and resilience in my daily life. Whether it’s using mindfulness to ease tension, practicing gratitude to cultivate inner peace or setting intentions to stay focused, I’ve come to appreciate how deeply our thoughts, emotions and actions influence our health and happiness. As a certified life coach, I’m now channeling my passion and experience into helping others achieve their goals and create meaningful change. My coaching approach combines practical tools, emotional support, and personalized guidance to help you thrive in all areas of your life — physical, mental, emotional, and social. How I Can Help You I offer personalized coaching sessions tailored to your unique wellness goals. Whether you’re looking for ways to reduce stress, build healthier habits, or achieve a more balanced life, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Here are some of the ways we can work together: Mind-Body Alignment Explore the mind-body connection to manage stress, ease tension, and cultivate inner peace. I’ll help you develop mindfulness practices that fit your lifestyle, making it easier to maintain calm and focus during life’s challenges. Goal Setting & Habit Building Whether you’re working on personal growth, health goals, or lifestyle changes, I provide guidance, accountability, and strategies to help you stay motivated and create lasting change. Together, we’ll break down your goals into actionable steps and celebrate your progress along the way. Motivation & Organization Struggling with time management or motivation? I provide tools and resources to help you improve organization, streamline scheduling, and stay on track with your goals. Emotional Support & Positive Mindset Coaching Sometimes, we just need someone to talk to — someone who listens without judgment and helps us see the bigger picture. I’ll help you navigate anxiety, chronic pain, and other challenges while focusing on cultivating a positive mindset and building emotional resilience. Let’s work together to help you thrive in every aspect of your life. Click here to schedule a free 30 minute consultation and start your wellness journey today!

Here are some things you can try at home to help your child improve reading skills, free resources, reading strategies, decoding, comprehension, decoding skills, science of reading, blending, word games, sounding out, phonics, letter and sound recognition, word patterns, rhyming, reading materials Helping Your Child With Reading Here are some things you can try at home to help your child improve reading skills: Let your child see you reading and talk with enthusiasm about books. Read with your child, maybe in a comfy chair or with a stuffy. Develop letter and sound recognition: Play word games that focus on letter sounds, like "I Spy" using beginning sounds ("I spy something that starts with /s/!"). Use magnetic letters or letter tiles to build and manipulate simple words, reinforcing sound-letter connections. Help your child recognize word patterns, such as rhyming words or common letter combinations (e.g., "sh," "th," "ing"). Work on decoding skills: Model sounding out words slowly and then blending the sounds together (e.g., "c-a-t... cat!"). Encourage your child to sound out words rather than guessing from pictures or context. Ask your child questions about what he or she is reading: What is the story about? Tell me about the characters in the story? What do you like about the story? What would you change? What do you think will happen next? Why? What have you learned? Offer a variety of reading materials; fictional stories, factual books, comics, graphic novels, poems, online stories, joke books, magazines, etc. Browse for reading materials at the library or in bookstores. Respond to a text: Draw a picture, comic or alternate cover page. Write a letter to a character, a journal entry by a character or sequel story. Create a crossword puzzle, word search or book review.