Give your kid more – he can handle it
Every new mom knows that her baby understands more than he can say. You say to a baby, “milk!” and that baby brightens right up. Long before he can speak, he understands. That amazing,...
View ArticleRemarkable research on kids’ ability to self-instruct
Image: D.Salhundi, Karnatak, India Here’s why we say you should “scatter books around the house.” I want you to watch this exciting speech by Sugata Mitra on TED.com that illustrates the extent to...
View ArticleBubbles are fragile things
I resolve not to burst my kid’s bubble. I’ve been noticing lately that kids are subjected to a lot of scolding. The problem with scolding is that it can so easily be the cold bucket of water that...
View ArticleHelp your child understand what he’s reading
Photo by Dan Smith, Wikimedia Commons I was talking to a mom today about a child who is having some trouble with reading comprehension. In other words, he reads a paragraph and has trouble...
View ArticleWorld Read-Aloud Day is Wed., March 7
It’s very important to read to your child. In fact, we consider it one of the top three most important things you can do to help your kid develop a love of reading. Every day – but especially on Wed.,...
View ArticleWhy you should “do philosophy” with your kids
Amy Leask believes that the best and most interesting philosophers are kids. They tend to ask the “big questions” like: Where did I come from? Why is this good and that’s bad? And, “Why can’t I have...
View ArticleKeeping kids reading all summer
Image: kiwiowner, Wikimedia Commons Studies show that kids who read during the summer jump back into school with a head-start. Kids who take the summer off (reading, that is), often tend to find...
View ArticleStuffed letters are great for literacy
My picture book, Gabby, is coming out this September. I’m excited! The illustrations are by Jan Dolby and it’s published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside. I’ll be doing some readings in schools, book...
View ArticleThree things to get your kid reading
ICYMI, here’s a post I wrote awhile back for the wonderful reading website, 49th Shelf. I talk about the three “must-dos” to create a life-long reader. They still hold true. Raising a Reader: my guest...
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