Q: My dad gave our third-grade son a Kindle. I'm amazed how much he reads on it! I have two worries. One, does he understand what he's reading on the Kindle as well as he does reading books? Plus, I miss reading books at bedtime with him. Should this matter?

A: With many children getting Kindles, iPads and other e-readers, their transition from reading text on paper to reading on digital devices is happening far faster than researchers can keep up. The only study I've found that addresses your question is by reading expert and education technologist Dr. Michael Milone. He recently found that students comprehend narrative text on an e-reader in almost exactly the same way they understand what they have read in books. The students in the study were in the fourth grade, and the books were popular fiction stories that matched the students' reading abilities.

"When tested on what they had read in both media, the students' scores were virtually identical. So, to answer your first question, you can be confident that your son can understand what he is reading on a Kindle or other e-reader," says Milone. (Find the study at http://doc.renlearn.com/KMNet/R0054730029120B5.pdf. Find a summary at www.huffingtonpost.com/kirk-cheyfitz/teaching-with-tablets_b_1227236.html.)

Milone offers a few cautions. "These findings are based on storybook reading," he says. "They should not be extended to informational texts. Reading nonfiction and studying a textbook are different from reading for pleasure. The task involved in our study was familiar and straightforward and involved answering questions about the books on a computer-based assessment. We need additional research before drawing conclusions about aspects of nonfiction reading on a digital device.

"It is also important to keep in mind that children learn in different ways. Some might do better learning from either a digital device or a standard book."

Your question implies that you miss the experience of a real book and wonder if your son might feel the same way. Those concerns are justified, says Milone.

"I can say with confidence that reading with a child at bedtime is one of the most important things a parent can do," he says. "This will be true as long as there are humans around! I encourage all parents to be sure that our children always experience the joy of turning pages in books.

"Digital technology is convenient and can enhance the reading experience in many ways. But there is something about holding a book and reading with an important adult that is magical. Every young child should have an opportunity to experience this enchantment."

This is not the first time that technology is changing the way we look at the way the world works, Milone reminds us. "One of the most important changes occurred a few thousand years ago when another technology -- writing -- was invented," he says. "Socrates was not very happy about it and thought that writing would create the illusion of knowledge and would make memory less important!"

Reading is reading -- whether on a digital device or in a book. Feel good that you've fostered your son's love of this important life skill.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: I want to link our children's allowances to some real skills, such as math, goal-setting and saving, as well as doing household tasks. What is the best way to do this? My children are 8 and 10.

A: A challenging economy means more and more parents are handing out savings lessons along with the weekly allowances. Gail Karlitz, author of "Growing Money: A Complete Investing Guide for Kids" (Price Stern Sloan, 2010), offers this good advice.

When you give an allowance, says Karlitz, "you're saying to your child, 'You're old enough to learn the value of money and its role in our lives.' The amount depends on what it is expected to be used for. Many people give a dollar each week per year of age."

Karlitz, who leads a popular workshop for parents titled "The Biggest Job ... Character-Based Parenting," doesn't believe in using allowances to pay kids for household chores. She wants kids to develop a sense of responsibility to the household, to feel that all family members should contribute "because we live here. We respect and take care of our clothes, toys, surroundings -- and benefit from a nice, smoothly running household."

She suggests starting by explaining the concepts of "needs" (food, clothes, housing and so on), "wants" (treats, entertainment, things we like but don't have to have), "goals" (things we must save for, such as a new TV), and "giving to others" (church collections, birthday presents or charity).

Give each child a notebook with a section for each category. "Ask them to label the pages in each section, list what they will include in that category, and indicate how much of their allowance will go to it. Explain that Mom and Dad will take care of all the family 'needs' while they are young," Karlitz coaches. "Discuss and decide what is appropriate for their lists. Will they donate a percentage to a charity? If a toy gun or a midriff-baring blouse is not an acceptable goal, let them know rather than face the 'but it's my money' challenge in the store!"

As children receive allowances and cash gifts, they enter the amount going into each category and keep a running total. "The page for 'goals' might show how much more they need to reach the goal," she advises. "They should also enter the amount they take from any category. The entry gives kids a chance to see how the money is adding up. Use a clear plastic envelope, box or jar for each category for each child, so they can see that actual money."

Set reachable savings goals for kids. "If it's too much a stretch," Karlitz says, "consider paying the balance of the cost of an item after the child reaches a targeted savings level."

Karlitz suggests teaching kids to research prices and sources of their goal items. Who has the best price? Is there a difference among brands? "These are great discussions that help young people become savvy savers and careful consumers!" she says.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: Our second-grade twins came home with class lists for their Valentine's Day exchange. Last year my son, who's a bit quirky, didn't get cards from some classmates. He was so hurt. I have nothing against "love," but this holiday seems over the top -- especially in a school that doesn't allow Christmas! How can I push back without seeming petty?

A: Most principals leave the decision of whether or not to celebrate Valentine's Day in teachers' hands. In most schools it doesn't go beyond the primary grades. While the event is set in motion, there's still time to plan an extension of the activity so that children focus on the day's original intent -- spreading good wishes and affection -- rather than how many cards and heart candies come their way.

Keith Garton, publisher of Red Chair Press books on character development, suggests approaching the teacher with this idea: Volunteer to work with the class to start a new Valentine's Day tradition of sending messages of hope and happiness to others who need a shot in the arm.

"For example, many elderly people have little contact with family and friends," he says. "It's not uncommon for them to feel sadness as they see commercials for Valentine candy and flowers. Why not devote some class time to making colorful collages for residents of local nursing homes or assisted living centers? Call to get first names so that the card collages are personalized."

Ask classmates to join you and your twins in dropping these off in person. "Your children will learn that giving a smile, good wishes and a few minutes of unexpected friendship can remedy another's loneliness," says Garton.

If the visit goes well, talk to your children's teacher about "adopting" the residents of the nursing home, says Garton.

"Plan monthly visits," he says. "For each resident, create name poems they can post on their door. Write the person's first name in a vertical line on a piece of paper. Then, beginning with each letter of the person's name, write something nice about that new friend -- something they do well, something they like or want to be remembered for. Then decorate the paper with markers, stickers and glitter. Present the name poems on one of your visits."

The class could also make and send Valentines to children who are hospitalized or in homeless shelters, or to members of the armed services who are far away from their loved ones.

"We want our children to develop character, good values and show kindness and respect to others, yet we make many of our celebrations totally kid-focused," says Garton. "Many parents want to dial this back. Our research on character development shows that children as young as second grade want to help others and understand that giving brings us pleasure."

Want to encourage your children to learn the joy of helping others? Red Chair Press is offering parents a free eBook, "The Best Birthday Gift," a heartwarming story to help a child see the benefit of listening, loving and showing respect. For more information, go to info.redchairpress.com/blog.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)