Monday, November 30, 2015

Relationship Between Reading and Brain Development

Anecdotal evidence suggests that at birth, a child's brain is developed by only 25%. Perhaps a sobering fact, the remaining 75% is - gulp - up to you through the stimulation of all five senses. 

According to Mem Fox, in her book Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever, by the child's first birthday, the foundation will already have been set with regard to his or her cleverness, imagination and creative being. Fox suggests that it may be too late for a child to begin reading if he or she has not begun to do so prior to entering school. Reading difficulties are not easy to fix, so, parents, prevention is key; wise Ben Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This infamous quote can be applied to a great deal of topics today, including literacy, no less.

A child's intellectual development has been linked to close verbal communication by the age of three. Speech begins with being spoken to, and reading aloud is the perfect time for the special bond between parent and child, and intellectual, reading, and speech development. By the time a child hears speech, music, and repetition, the foundation of early literacy has begun. Without any verbal communication, or lack thereof, children will have a more difficult time wanting to learn to read.

So, read, read, read, and play the important role of giving the gift of all-things related to brain development.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Words Are All Around Us

Traffic signs, banners, advertisements...words are all around us.

As adults, we take reading for granted. We tend to forget that without our knowledge, we would not be able to read anything. It was not until I had my daughter - and started reading and pointing out words from all over town - that I realized this simple fact, and I thought, “What a perfect opportunity to teach outside of the box!"

I am happy to announce that it worked - for one day, out of the blue, my little girl said to me, “Mommy, that sign says ‘stop!'" My eyes grew big and my mouth dropped. “She really did pay attention to me!"

To this day, I seize every opportunity to read to my children, not limiting myself to books. By doing so, they acknowledge that those “letters" are actually words...words that are all around them.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Knuffle Bunny or Kuh-Nuffle Bunny?

We checked out the award-winning Knuffle Bunny series by Mo Willems. Consisting of three books, we followed Trixie from the stage of toddler-hood to early childhood. The entire elements of the series are like none other.
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
First Book in the Series
Upon opening the first book, I fell in love with the story, as did my children. Parents can appreciate the humor when, as a toddler, Trixie went “boneless," falling to the ground, in a desperate plea to get her daddy back to the laundromat to get her beloved, Knuffle Bunny. I can honestly say that I laughed out loud. Oh, have I had my fair share of “boneless" bodies from both of my children in public. (And why do they suddenly become 20 pounds heavier when they do so?)

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity
Second Book in the Series
Skipping ahead to the last book, Trixie cannot find her dear friend shortly after arriving in Holland on a trip to visit Oma and Opa. Does she find her Knuffle Bunny? Does she go “boneless" again? (You can proceed with reading my post for I will not give it away.) However, I will express my sadness as I read the final part of the book. I thought to myself, “Surely, this cannot be it! No!" Perhaps it was noting the age similarity between my daughter and Trixie, or maybe it was the combination of that and the dedicated note to Trixie at the end.

I am always on the lookout for unique illustrations and this one hit the jackpot. With classic black and white photography near the author's home in Brooklyn, Willems adds his highly expressive cartoonish-style to each scene - quite brilliant, I think!

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion
The Last Book -- Sniff, sniff!
If you are looking for a new book to read to your child, I highly recommend reading the Knuffle Bunny series. There was certainly an energy between the expressive characters, illustrations, and stories surrounding Trixie and Knuffle. I am certain you will grow with Trixie, her mommy and daddy, and the star of the show, Knuffle, as well!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Guess How Much I Love You ...

Guess How Much I Love You
An Award-Winning Tail
By Sam McBratney is a tender “tail” of two hares, Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare, showing their love for the other, ignited by a common childhood problem -- not wanting to go to sleep! As a distraction, Little Hare changes the subject by interjecting, “Guess how much I love you”? (Of course, what parent, grandparent or any adult could ignore such a question?)

Little Nutbrown Hare admits to loving his daddy “this much”, representing his love by his outstretched arms. Daddy replies, “But I love you this much,” stretching out his much longer arms. Little Hare attempts to prove a love larger than Big Hare's through the remainder of the book. Does he succeed?

As I was reading this treasured book aloud today, I immediately thought of the early love exchanges between my daughter and I. When she was two, I would say, “I love you.” “No, I love you more,” she replied. Of course, my response was, “No, I love you more.” We would go back and forth until one of us gave up with a smile and a hug.

As parents, we know how much our children mean to us, more than anyone could ever know, sometimes “right up to the moon -- and back.”
Big & Little Nutbown Hare from Guess How Much I Love You
Big and Little Nutbrown Hare
 

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Literacy Connections and Storytime Success

Literacy is fueled by three connections: you - the reader, the chosen book, and the child. All intertwined together, these three ingredients are the key players of this fantastic recipe!

The book you are reading to your child might not be the next bestseller, but does this truly matter to your child? No. In fact, the excitement and eagerness of storytime and the time spent with you are just as – if not more so – important to the child than the actual story itself.

Relaxed children presented with positive storytimes are more apt to begin reading on their own.

Tips for a Successful Storytime:
  • Read aloud with emphasis.
  • Encourage active participation. 
  • Acknowledge the writer and illustrator.
  • Allow snuggly cuddling for closeness and security, complete with pillows and blankets. 
  • Introduce words and associate them with pictures, if applicable.
I hope the above tips will assist you with bonding and educating your child - your most precious asset.

As always, happy reading!


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