Early Literacy:Are You Ready for Christmas
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist “So, are you ready for Christmas?” My eyes fall to the ground. I have not yet finished my shopping or gift wrapping. I have not baked shortbread or decorated the Christmas tree. “Ummm,” I mumble, pushing back a mixture of guilt and panic, “There’s still… READ MORE
Early Literacy Making Headlines
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist The Canada Council on Learning October 2011 report states that internationally, Canada is losing its competitive edge with education at each stage of learning from preschoolers to senior citizens. One of its key findings? “Early childhood education and learning (ELEL) affects a child’s health, well-being… READ MORE
Home routines can help children with back to school
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist When warm summer days give way to cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours, and school buses fill our roads after two months of absence, we know its ‘back to school.’ Parents do their best to prepare children for an easy transition to their first days… READ MORE
Playtime for Baby and You
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist Facebook and Twitter are buzzing with the news. Your newborn has arrived safely. You hear your new baby cry for attention, tiny arms waving without control. What could early literacy possibly have to do with an infant who is not yet ready to speak or… READ MORE
Singing the Praises of Music to Literacy
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist Sometimes it happens in the car; sometimes in the park. Kailey’s mom breaks into song: Down by the bay where the watermelons grow; back to my home I dare not go. For if I do my mother will say, “Did you ever see llamas eating… READ MORE
Books for sharing this Strawberry Moon
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist I was driving in my car when I heard the interview on CBC. Diplomat and former lieutenant-governor of Ontario, James Bartleman, was talking about his newest book “As Long As the River Flows”. Bartleman, a member of the Mnjikaning First Nation, has had a highly… READ MORE
Celebrating better speech and hearing month with Keil
"It’s time for speech therapy, Keil,” his mom calls out. “Yay!” Keil’s excitement is high. It’s always high when he realizes it’s a speech therapy day. Speech therapy to Keil means playing and spending time with his speech therapist Skye Hale-Sanders. Keil isn’t aware that Skye is using play to… READ MORE
Playing to learn in Canada and Jamaica
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist Photo: A shipping container donated by Students Crossing borders, and its transformation into a play centre in Jamaica.. “He’s just playing.” Just playing? What looks like “just playing” to adults is how children engage in scientific discovery while digging in the garden; how they learn about… READ MORE
Telling a Spring Break Tale
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist “Once upon a time,” Nathan’s grandpa began, “there lived a court jester named Nathaniel. Court jesters make kings and queens laugh. Nathaniel loved his job but today Nathanial was worried. How could he make the king and queen laugh? He had lost it.” Three-year-old year… READ MORE
Writing with Heart
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist Heart-shaped paper, stickers and paper doilies littered the kitchen table. Glue, scissors and a whole box of markers did too. A class list of names lay on the table between Katie and her mom. Katie’s mom had written ‘TO’ and left a space at the… READ MORE
Kids in the Kitchen this Christmas
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist Ellie Lee was only three when she began to bake. She washed her hands and stood on a chair to reach the kitchen counter. Ellie and her dad had already made homemade granola two days ago. Today, Ellie and her mom were going to… READ MORE
Picture books can help children learn how to be resilient
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist Madison’s mom is on tour of duty. She left shortly before Madison started school for the first time. Sometimes Madison misses her mom so much that it hurts inside. Sometimes she tries to picture her mom’s face and can’t. Then she feels scared. Madison doesn’t… READ MORE
It’s Clee with a C
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist Clee’s mom had found “The Pumpkin Blanket” by Deborah Turney Zagwyn on-line. It was a rare find – a picture book about a girl with the same name as her daughter. Just like her daughter, the story character would soon be going to school for… READ MORE
Spending time with dad
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist Gavin and his dad sat snuggled on top of Gavin’s bed. “In the great green room there was a telephone, and a red balloon, and a picture of the cow jumping over the moon.” The first pages of “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown were… READ MORE
Travel Games
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist “Are we there yet?” Only ten minutes into a six-hour journey, it may be hard to match your child’s excitement with “Not yet, honey.” But parents who travel with children are resourceful. They know there are more options than mesmerizing children into silence with DVDs… READ MORE
In the Afterglow of Canada Day
by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist I am torn. I am never sure if it is the wagon ride with berry baskets beside me, the feel of warm sun on my skin, or the love of being completely surrounded by acres of sweet juicy strawberries that makes my trip to the… READ MORE