Boost children’s speech and language development with books
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist “Peek-a-boo!” Blonde, feathery hair stood and swayed like a field of wheat on Ben’s tiny head as I read the words from his book. I hadn’t meant to say ‘peek’ so powerfully, but Ben’s saucer-sized eyes had been riveted to the large, lift-the-flap pictures.… READ MORE
“Come Walk In My Moccasins” – A Resource For Parents And Professionals For Young Children
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist Though mounds of snow are still with us, the first day of spring is imminent and already being welcomed with birds singing and longer days of sunshine. Squirrels are out in droves looking for hidden stashes of nuts but I have not yet seen or… READ MORE
Time sensitive books for young children
Do you have the time? When clocks fall back or spring forward to accommodate Daylight Savings Time, second guessing our internal clocks is common. To a young child, time can be even more elusive. Though adults may envy children’s ability to live in the moment, young children struggle to… READ MORE
Let the Games Begin - at Sochi and at Home
Sochi takes me there. Though not to Russia, it takes me to a place of awe and inspiration for our Olympians who demonstrate incredible skill, endurance and commitment to their chosen winter sport. I find myself wondering when and how each competitor on that 2014 Winter Olympic stage began.… READ MORE
Just Killing Time?
Have you noticed how easily conversation starters can roll off the tongue? “What’s new?” “Hey, how are you doing? “What are you up to?” These broad questions invite others to talk about anything and everything. Yet the answers are often pat. “Nothing much.” “Okay.” “Just killing time.” This last… READ MORE
Choosing Children’s Holiday Books
Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist HFL&A, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. My cell phone vibrates. I glance at the message. “running late. will text u when leaving.” My thumbs leap into action. “ok great tks.” If this spelling and grammar were in an email, report, or funding proposal, my colleague and I would both… READ MORE
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