Screen time trying to invade your kiddo's day? During the coronavirus pandemic schools across the country shut down. Many still are not back to a normal, pre-CoVid schedule. With children remaining home you may have heard: There's NOTHING to DO.... ____I'm BORED!! (imagine whining on the 1st line; exasperation on the 2nd) Sure handing over a device or sitting them in front of a screen might sound very tempting. Here's why you might want to resist the temptation! Then and … [Read more...]
Keep Talking, I Want to READ!
Neil Gaiman, one of my favorite authors, said: "Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside of them." If books make great gifts, then certainly the gift of reading is priceless! Children begin the process of learning to read long before they actually read. Laying the Foundation to Read Talking, or more formally oral language, is critically important for future reading skills. Immerse children in language by engaging with them: in everyday speech, reading aloud, singing, … [Read more...]
Video Games Day–Making the Case for PLAY
I was kind of left with my mouth on the floor when I found out what day it was...Video Games Day?!! Really? We need a day to encourage and celebrate playing video games? (sigh) How about trying for a NO-Video Games Day? Now that would be something out of the ordinary!! I'm not going to say video games don't have a place or don't have any beneficial aspects (read 6 Scientific Benefits) but they are inappropriate for young children. Young children need PLAY! Consider PLAY as one of the … [Read more...]
Grandparents Day
The 2nd Sunday of September honors grandparents with their own ‘Grandparents Day.’ I've always thought being grandparent means you’ve reached the pinnacle of life! A handful of generations ago it wasn’t uncommon for grandparents to being living under the same roof with their grandchildren, but that isn’t the typical American family unit now. Make no mistake though, the grandparent-grandchild relationship is very important. GRANDPARENTS ARE IMPORTANT Grandparents: 1. Share family and … [Read more...]