Congratulations! You and your baby have made it through the first year of late-night feedings and sleepless nights. At 1, your baby is much more aware of the world around him, and the emotional rewards of reading to your baby have evolved. Reading books can continue to be a treasured part of your … [Read more...]
Emotional Benefits of Reading Aloud: Age 3
All those years of reading to your child as a baby and toddler should be really paying off! At 3, you may start to notice that the emotional benefits of reading aloud are beginning to change with your child's development. Reading aloud together not only help your child grow to love reading, but it … [Read more...]
Emotional Rewards of Reading Aloud: 2 Years Old
Your child is now two—or as some have referred to it: the "terrible twos." But don't despair! As with every stage in child development, each offers something exciting and new. And (just like your little one) each stage can be wonderful and amazing in its own way. The emotional rewards of reading … [Read more...]
Emotional Rewards of Reading to Your Baby: 6—12 Months
As your baby goes from being stationary to becoming more mobile and alert, reading aloud offers significant emotional benefits to your child. Reading gives your little crawler, cruiser, or walker an excuse to rest and cuddle at different points in the day. This can help your child come to regard … [Read more...]
Emotional Rewards of Reading to Your Baby from Birth
Reading to your baby right from birth can have profound emotional benefits for your little one. And it's never too early to start. Babies thrive on routine and habit. It’s a perfect time to introduce reading as a habitual activity. Helps associate stories with bedtime or naptime, so sharing a … [Read more...]
Why Read to Kids: Emotional Rewards of Reading Aloud
Why read to kids? The reasons to read aloud to our children are so numerous that we decided to divide them up into different categories. In addition to helping kids' academic skills, there are a whole host of Social and Emotional benefits kids (and parents!) receive from reading together. While … [Read more...]
Favorite Books from Childhood: Toddler to Third Grader
I'll bet you had a list of favorite books when you were a child. Maybe it was a book that spirited you away to new worlds or introduced you to a character you admired. Maybe you loved the sound of an adult reading to you as you got ready for bed. Perhaps it was the discovery that the words strung … [Read more...]
6 Favorite First-Grade Books from My Childhood
Reading to your first grader is great fun! For this age, there are chapter books and ongoing series that keeps kids asking for more. Here are some of my childhood favorites. Thank you, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish Amelia Bedelia is the housekeeper for Mr. and Mrs. Roger, who gets everything … [Read more...]
5 Favorite Kindergarten Books from My Childhood
Reading to children is often touted as the best way to put them on a good path to learning. My parents read to me early and often. Here are some favorite kindergarten books that I read to my own children. Corduroy by Don Freeman A cuddly bear, who wears overalls that are missing a button, is in a … [Read more...]
6 Books I Couldn’t WAIT to Read to My Toddler
Many of my own fondest childhood memories revolve around reading. Reading some of my treasured childhood books brings me back to that simple magical time. Here are five of my favorites that I couldn't wait to share with my children, small nieces and nephews. Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt This … [Read more...]
Which Sesame Street Character Should You Be for Halloween?
The fun-loving and diverse characters from everyone’s childhood show, Sesame Street, make for great costume inspiration for Halloween. Not sure which character to dress as? This cute quiz will match your responses to the character to best suit you. Everyone will love your adorable look and you’ll … [Read more...]
The Tyranny of the Helicopter Mom
You’ve heard all the labels: Helicopter Mom. Hover Mother. Tiger Mom. Ivy League Mom. The names change, but the underlying message is the same: Some mothers—and fathers!—push their children too hard to succeed and many are too heavily invested in their kids' education. Mayday, … [Read more...]
Sesame Street Celebrity Cameos
Sesame Street, the children’s program, known for its Muppets puppets such as Big Bird, Kermit, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, and Grover has featured some very special guests of the human variety. Numerous celebrities have appeared with their Sesame Street pals, to help children learn their ABCs … [Read more...]
How to Turn Your Turkey Project Into a Triumph
If you have a young child, there is a Turkey Project in your future. My first-grade daughter came home with the assignment. Take the black-and-white printed turkey picture and decorate it however you want. Use your imagination. Make it a family project. We had five days to get the project done, … [Read more...]
Using Facial Expressions in Reading to Help Your Child Learn About Emotions
Reading out loud to your child should be fun for both of you! The more personality and drama you can put into your reading, the more entertaining it will be—and the more your child can learn. This is especially true in helping your child learn about emotions. You can help your child develop in this … [Read more...]