Good Words to Know Before School
I let out a guttural response - more astounded than profane though it hovered dangerously close to the tipping point. I looked at my iPad. Could that combination of letters actually spell a word? I had changed the opponent setting on my Scrabble app to expert. Against an ingenious… READ MORE
Mixing blue with green for healthy child development
Jackson’s mom hands her son an empty, washed yogurt container. “Put this in the blue box.” Jackson likes to help and, at two-and-a-half, he is already familiar with his family’s practice of recycling. To Jackson recycling is fun. He loves watching the big recycling truck stop in front of… READ MORE
Getting Ready for School
Sasha’s mom looked at the calendar. It was only July. The summer stretched before them promising beach days and popsicles. But this summer would also be the last chance to prepare Sasha for the thing that would change her 3-year-old’s life forever – school. Would Sasha be ready? Would… READ MORE
Canadian Eh?
The photos from London, England showed a sea of red and white– red balloons, red and white beach balls, small Canadian flags waved in the air. Pictures showed take-out containers of poutine cradled lovingly in revellers’ hands while music played from an outdoor band shell. Yes, I had heard… READ MORE
Discovering Aboriginal Teachings at Come Walk in My Moccasins
It was cold at the Frink Centre conservation area on April 20. Thirty-two early learning professionals, artists, storyteller and guide had gathered for Come Walk in My Moccasins – a professional development event exploring Aboriginal teachings through art and nature. Small squares of icy snow bounced from our winter-weight jackets… READ MORE
Doin’ it Right Checklist Helps Parents Nurture Children’s Literacy Skills
My Canada A.M. Checklist: Brew coffee Feed cats Spread toast generously with peanut butter Wait for caffeine to kick in Checklists - such useful tools. They do everything from help us refresh depleted first aid kits, to match our interests and abilities with jobs, to flag speech concerns in… READ MORE
Discovering the Heart of Emotional Literacy through Books
Sadie, a bubbly, energetic two-year-old, stood solidly in front of Jasmine studying Jasmine’s face. Just moments ago, Sadie had shoved petite, three-year old-Jasmine hard, causing Jasmine to land with shock and dismay though no bumps or bruises. The adult who saw it happened rushed to the scene. “We don’t… READ MORE
Top 10 book sharing strategies for wiggly children
Reading with children 15 minutes a day improves their chances of success in school. That’s quite a claim but, increasingly, research supports it. Cunningham and Stanovich’s study with first-graders, whom they followed for ten years, showed that first-grade reading abilities were strong predictors of reading outcomes in grade eleven.… READ MORE
Holiday Books for the Giving
Unofficial consumer reports have wrapped up two great reasons for giving books to children at Christmas time. Books don’t need batteries. Unlike homework, books given at Christmas are respected by pets. (Dogs have their priorities when chocolate or other edibles are under, on, or near the Christmas tree.) As… READ MORE
Why storytelling helps children
“It was a dark and stormy night.” The storyteller’s eyes widen. His words slow. The narrative begins and no one knows how the tale will end.Good storytelling captivates us, sparks our imagination, and shapes our thoughts and attitudes. But good storytelling does not just happen. It is a skill… READ MORE
When literacy goes digital in the lives of young children
What is a parent to do? We have heard the news. Both the Canadian Paediatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics have looked at the research linking television and screen time with healthy child development. Their recommendations? Children who are two years old or younger should watch no… READ MORE
Get Ready! Get Set! Go... to School!
Anticipating your child’s first day at school this September? Whether you’re a parent who experiences mini panic attacks when you imagine your child in this new environment, or whether you’re looking forward to a few hours of parental freedom, there are ways to help your child prepare. Most kindergarten… READ MORE
It’s a Picasso!
Pablo Picasso learned to draw before he could speak. By the time he was a teenager he could paint masterfully. Today referring to anything as a Picasso infers excellence and originality.As I wandered through the Picasso exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario a few weeks ago, I learned… READ MORE
Learning Together through Aboriginal Stories
“Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins.” (Native American proverb) At Come Walk in My Moccasins events for early learning and childcare professionals, Spiritual Elder and Healer David Jock explained to mainstream educators how Seven Grandfather Teachings can enrich children’s learning regardless of their cultural… READ MORE
Docs prescribe reading to children
When doctors speak, we listen.The report of Community Action Research Project (CARP) conducted throughout Hastings and Prince Edward counties in 2011/12 shows that when families seek information, services or support, 71.3% turn to their doctor or primary health care provider.Physicians’ words have impact. Studies analyzing Reach Out and Read,… READ MORE
Brainy Babies without TV
Would you like to make your baby smarter? “Yes!” Do you know how to make your baby smarter? “Hmmm….” When we see store shelves lined with videos designed for babies and toddlers with convincing names such as Baby Einstein we may be convinced that knowledgeable adults have researched and… READ MORE