Pre-Literacy: Print Motivation

Happy Valentine's Day! Let's talk about a love far more enduring than tit-for-tat romance: a love of reading!

When did you fall in love with reading? And have you fallen in love with writing, too?

I hope you've held books dear since a very young age. If a child shows interest in books, even in mouthing them, print motivation has sprouted. When they begin to enjoy being read to, flipping through books, and scribbling as if to write, they are well on their way to a love of literacy. Here are three ways to encourage print motivation:

me and Baby A

1. Make reading together quality time. I've talked about cuddling up for a read before, but any positive association with reading not only builds a bond between the readers, but between the readers and books. (Remember these adorable family reading pictures from Emily of Ruffling Feathers?)

Woman Reading by Alexander Deineke

2. Read to yourself. And write! If reading is just for kids, they'll grow out of it fast! Set the example by reading and writing in front of children. It tickles their curiosity to see how compelling and endless the joys of literacy are throughout life.

source

3. Point out and explain literature in daily life. There is a sign at an indoor playground near me that says Please do not let children climb on top of the dinosaur. Once (out of dozens of visits) I heard a parent say, "Get down, please. See that sign? It says we can't climb on the dinosaur." Respectful parents like that teach children to follow safety rules and pay attention to the literature in their environment. Talk about signs like the litter one above, or the address on your mailbox, or the words on your cereal box. An awareness of how society works, and also of how literacy is a tool, will sink in.

Are you doing these already? Print motivation is practically a side-effect of a literature-rich environment, don't you think? 

But like Mem Fox said to Design Mom: "Read to them endlessly, for the sake of the love between you and not the educational duty of care." 

Mem Fox did write a book on tapping in to the magic of reading. And I love her Ten Read-Aloud Commandments.

May you fall more deeply in love with literacy and those you share it with today!

Valentine Picture Books Hot Off the Press

Six more weeks of winter. Oi! But February does have that light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel feeling, and splashes of pink and red everywhere!

Even though I like pink, I've always thought Valentine's Day was silly, what with all the sexism. But maybe my true reason for resistance is because there isn't Valentine-y food to win me over?...unless red velvet cupcakes are officially adopted as Valentine cupcakes.

I cut hearts from layered scrapbook paper and strung them on little hooks across the mirror above my mantle, so I guess that means I'm on the Valentine cheer team this year. That "You've got me hooked" Heart String (I just made that up!) is not a fun activity idea for toddlers, by the way. I don't know if I waited too long or not long enough to introduce paste, but Baby A would not stop rubbing it on her face, deeply convinced that it was lotion.

But whatever your stance Valentine's Day, you won't be able to resist smiling at these new, sweet picture books.

For Anyone/Everyone:

Plant a Kiss (December 2011) written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated bv Peter H. Reynolds. See the beauty and power of one kiss, planted with love and patience. 

Love Is You and Me (December 2011) by Monica Sheehan. Love is defined, not only in cuddles or elaborate outings, but in daily kindness, as illustrated by this bright book. Also by Sheehan: Be Happy!

For Sweethearts:

Mr. Prickles: A Quill-Fated Love Story (December 2011) by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Scott Magoon. A rejected porcupine loner finds love at last. It reminds me of this relationship graph I saw at Cup of Jo, by GraphJam. Don't be frightened of those glaring woodland creatures--Mr. Prickles' story has a feel-good conclusion.

Snowy Valentine (November 2011) by David Petersen. This bunny husband makes you say awwww. On a quest for advice on a good gift for his wife, he inadvertently creates a perfect token of his love. This is David Petersen's first picture book, and I look forward to more in the future.

P.S. Last year's February, and last year's valentine.

P.P.S. I liked these ideas for using conversation hearts, especially using them for practice writing sentences, and as BINGO markers. If you ask me, conversation hearts are super entertaining, but not delicious.

Won't you be mine?

I'm so glad that the radio ad guy does not consider my husband to be a "real man", because I do not want 6-foot roses delivered to me. Ever. I'll take the holiday sans sexism, please. 

Baby A & Co. wishes you a happy friend/valentine day:

The Super-Post of February

What is this? A post two days in a row?

Well, I'm just dying to get caught up after the crazy holiday rush of February. Stay with me on this doozie!

February is my 10th favorite month, so, not good. But it is not the worst.

1. MAY (the trees and flowers bloom in honor of my daughter's birthday, my birthday, and four siblings'/sib-in-laws' birthdays)

2. JUNE (summer!)

3. JULY (summer + fireworks)

4. AUGUST (I am finally warm in my bones)

5. APRIL (winter really is over)

6. MARCH (winter is really almost over + memories of flying kites)

7. SEPTEMBER (everything is still green and leafy but a few leaves begin to turn)

8. NOVEMBER (Thanksgiving + Christmas decorations go up)

9. DECEMBER (Christmas)

10. FEBRUARY (Groundhog Day + Leap Year)

11. OCTOBER (I get sad that there will be no more warm days until spring)

12. JANUARY (January holds no redeeming qualities, and the only holiday is the day I wish I hadn't stayed up so late the night before)

But back to February.

We have celebrated Groundhog Day...

Brownie the Groundhog: brownie, frosting, chocolate chips, almond, cashew halves, powdered sugar, green sprinkles

and the Super Bowl...

TOUCHDOWN!

Don't use frosting! Use whipped strawberry cream cheese and fold in some Cool Whip!

and we are gearing up for a holiday on which I have been massaged, bored, depressed, stood up (as in on a date--can you believe that!), sugar-highed, and romanced over the years: Valentine's Day. 

But in Finland, it is Friendship Day, and that is my favorite way to celebrate it. On Valentine's Day, I will show you friends the valentine my daughter made!

Quick! Make sure you have these pro-love books ready for Valentine's Day:

Best for 3 & up (but appeals to all audiences) :

I Love You More [click the title to learn more about Duksta & Keesler, aka "The Bald Chick and the Hippie"] (2009) written by Laura Duksta, illustrated by Karen Keesler

Read this sweet and poetic testament of love between mother and son, and then flip it upside-down and backward and read more! Flip story! Need I say more?

 Best for everyone:

Pooh Loves (2010) uses the classic Pooh illustrations (my favorite) to show what things Pooh loves. I'll bet you love those things, too.

Best for grown-ups who love cartoons and hugs (but appeals to all audiences):

Hug Time [click on the title and see the author reading it on YouTube] (2007) Patrick McDonnel, the well-known cartoonist of the Mutt series, tells how a kitten makes the world better with hugs, and how we can, too. Amazon recommends this for ages 4-8, but I say that children ages 2 & up will get the concept, and all ages will enjoy it.

Best board book for babies:

Peek-A-Love (2010) by Salina Yoon just came out in December and it is adorable! Bright, basic pictures with reveal what the bee, the butterfly, and other creatures love behind large flaps. Curious babies who grasp can move the flaps down with help. I recommend it for a speedy, cuddly read.

What are your picks for lovey-dovey reads?