A home filled with books provides an important educational resource for your child, and helps convey the message that learning is important. Start your collection with a good dictionary and thesaurus; these tools are invaluable for any type of writing. One of the best all-around home reference materials is the encyclopedia; these days, they're available on CD-ROM, as well as the standard 'A' through 'Z' printed volumes. Generally, there are two types: a child's set, and a standard version for upper grades through high school. The computer can be a helpful tool, especially if you have Internet access. Many universities and government institutions maintain sites on a wide variety of topics. However, if your children will be using the computer alone, you may want to investigate programs that will limit what type of materials they can view. Also, consider subscribing to magazines like Time, Newsweek, or National Geographic. Look for budget books at garage sales and used bookstores. Finally, consider purchasing a globe or world map. This will not only assist with geography lessons, it can make learning more fun, as you point out faraway places, and describe what they're like.
