Dinosaurs!

The National Museum of Play here in Rochester is one of the country's best places to bring young kids for genuine exploration, effortless learning and FUN. Tomorrow, September 24th, a new exhibit opens up that is sure to be a hit. Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice sets the stage for children to travel back in time to the Cretaceous period and explore clues that these mysterious creatures left behind. Fossil digging, puzzles, games, story time and realistic sculptures are sure to catch your child's attention for this fun outing. The exhibit runs until January 8, 2017. Here are some of my favorite dinosaur books!

National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off today and runs until October 15th. Observation of this holiday began in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded this holiday to be observed for a full month. It is a time to celebrate the history, culture and contribution of citizens and their ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
I think it is important that children are exposed to books that reflect the diversity that surrounds us. When children learn about other cultures, they begin to develop an open mind, empathy, appreciation and interest about experiences that might be different than their own. Try checking out one of these books during the month long celebration!

Click here to explore some events happening around the Rochester area!

Roald Dahl Day!

September 13th is Roald Dahl's birthday and educators, book lovers, children and parents around the world honor the brilliant storyteller. 2016 marks ONE HUNDRED years since he was born and some celebrations have been planned. Click here to see some of the fun things happening and how your little one can get involved! From characters such as The BFG, Willy Wonka and Matilda, Dahl has been filling our minds with creativity, imagination and an appreciation of literature. Here are some of my favorites!

"So please, oh please, we beg, we pray
 Go throw your TV sets away
 And in its place you can install
 A lovely bookshelf on the wall..."
 R.Dahl

International Literacy Day

On behalf of International Literacy Day, I want to share this article from the Washington Post about Anna Dewdney. Anna was the best selling author and illustrator of the Llama Llama books. She was also an outspoken advocate for children's literacy.

"By reading with a child, we are teaching that child to be human. When we open a book, and share our voice and imagination with a child, that child learns to see the world through someone else's eyes. I will go further and say that the child then learns to feel the world more deeply, becoming more aware of himself and others in a way that he simply cannot experience except in our laps, or in our classrooms, or in our reading circles." 

I couldn't agree with this more! As a teacher I plan multiple read alouds throughout my day, especially in the beginning of the school year where building a positive and respectful community is essential to creating a happy and healthy environment. The art of reading and being read to is being lost a bit with all the other STUFF expected of teachers these days. Teachers and parents- take the time to read TO and WITH your kids. It is extremely vital, now more than ever. 

Anna passed away at the age of 50 after a 15-month battle with brain cancer. In place of a proper funeral service, she wanted people to read to a child instead. She stressed that empathy was as important as literacy. Click here to read the full article.