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Summer Continues...

6/25/2019

“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder”
E.B. White

*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

With July on the horizon, we’ve almost made it to the middle of summer with Michigan enjoying rather temperate weather but loaded with mosquitoes. If you’re outdoor people like we are, you keep the anti-itch lotion close at hand. The long summer days are wonderful for many activities including boating, hiking, cookouts, days at the beach and camping. Camping is always a fun part of summer, whether it be a summer camp, a family camping trip or backyard camping. Share Camp Rex by Molly Idle or S is for S’mores, A Camping Alphabet by Helen Foster James. Indoor camping is a fun alternative (and, best of all, bugless), especially for the little ones with blanket tents set up in the house. Help children to be creative in making their own tents out of whatever blankets and pillows are at hand, then curl up and tell ghost stories around a “campfire” with s’mores and read The Marshmallow Incident by Judi Barrett. When it gets dark, engage in the classic childhood activity of catching fireflies and then read a book by the light of a lantern. To continue the theme, consider It’s a Firefly Night by Dianne Ochiltree or a collection of silly poems by Shel Silverstein or Jack Prelutsky.

Camping Stories

Another summer or vacation activity of old that’s great to revive is writing post cards. Writing to family and/or friends relaying their adventures is a great way to assist children with language, grammar, handwriting, recalling events and storytelling. Purchase post cards when on vacation or let children utilize their creative energy to design unique one-of-a-kind post cards depicting their adventures. Consider sharing Thank You, Aunt Tallulah by Carmela Lavigna Coyle and Postcards from Camp by Simms Taback to inspire your child.

Also, remember to visit your local library and book sellers often and don’t forget to bring books along on vacation. When visiting other cities, check out their libraries and bookstores. Be sure to include used bookstores as well.

Special Days in July

1st: First U.S. zoo opened in Philadelphia in 1874 - Celebrate with a trip to your local zoo. Consider nonfiction books about animals or one of the many zoo and animal stories, including alphabet books. Consider There’s a Zoo in Room 22 by Judy Sierra, Z is for Zookeeper by Marie Smith, Welcome To The Zoo by Alison Jay and Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell, which has wonderful details and a search and find element.

Take a look at these zoo stories and activity books from Usborne Books & More as well.

4th: Independence Day - The usual way to celebrate seems to be with barbecues and fireworks but make sure that as your children get older, they understand the significance and importance of the day. There are many nonfiction books you can read or choose something fun like The Night Before the Fourth of July by Natasha Wing.

10th: Scientist Nikola Tesla’s Birthday - We are always amazed by the number of both children and adults who don’t know Tesla. Introduce this amazing scientist with Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World by Elizabeth Rusch. With the push of STEM, a fun series for older children is Nick and Tesla by Bob Pflufelder and Steve Hockensmith, 11-year-old siblings who have a knack for science and getting into trouble.

11th: Author Patricia Polacco’s Birthday - Polacco was unable to read until the age of 14 due to dyslexia, which she retold in her book Thank you, Mr. Falker. Another title to consider is Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair. Check out Polacco’s website for a list of her books and fun things to do.

14th: Author Laura Numeroff’s Birthday - Celebrate this author’s birthday with a cookie and the story If You Give a Mouse a Cookie or with a muffin and the story If You Give a Moose a Muffin. Check out Numeroff’s website for a list of the many fun books to consider in this series.

19th: Publisher John Newberry’s Birthday - Called the “Father of Children’s Literature,” the Newberry Medal was named after him. Read an award-winning book with your child. Visit the American Library Association's website for a list of winning titles.

26th: Author Jan Berenstain’s Birthday - Invite the Berenstain Bear family into your home with one of their many stories.

28th: Author Beatrix Potter’s Birthday - Explore the world of Peter Rabbit and his friends beginning with The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

30th: Paperback Books First Introduced in 1953 - Choose a favorite paperback, find a comfy spot and read with your child.

31st: Author J. K. Rowling’s Birthday - Though Harry Potter is too complex for toddlers, remember that it is considered a children’s book for the elementary age. You be the judge of when you think your child is ready to hear them and explore the magical wizarding world together. Recently, large, illustrated editions of the series have been released that would make for captivating read alouds or simply read one of the traditional novels and let your child's imagination take flight.

Happy reading this summer!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 3) for Kate, a son (now 1) and another little boy expected this year for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

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School's Out! Now...Boredom?

6/11/2019

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Right about now children are celebrating the end of the school year. Recently, my mother, sister and I reminisced, remembering how much we looked forward to the end of the school year when we were young and the beginning of summer vacations. What stood out were some of the family trips taken up north and to the lakes but mostly we remembered the boredom. We also remembered the fun and inventive games that grew out of the boredom. I know that the days when my daughter says she is bored, I feel I need to come up with things for her to do but after reading what some child development experts say about allowing children to be bored, I now embrace her boredom. Since she is only three years old, I still make sure that she has toys and items for make-believe as well as situations and opportunities where her imagination and creativity might flourish but I leave it up to her to discover her talents and passion. According to psychologist, Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, a child needs enough stillness to awaken their sense of self and being. When they sit in the nothingness of boredom, they arrive at an understanding of who they are and awaken their own internal drive to be. I remember when my younger brother was bored, he would look for things in the basement or garage to take apart and tinker with (I made sure that my possessions were well hidden) and today he is an engineer. It seems that what he did when he was bored, was who he was.

“Boredom always precedes a period of great creativity.”
Robert M. Pirsig

It is said that play is the work of children so it stands to reason that kids are happiest in self-directed play. It is essential for children to decide for themselves how to use periods of unstructured time so that they can learn the art of managing it. An opinion piece in the New York Times titled Let Children Get Bored Again explains that it’s not the boredom itself that is beneficial but what is done with the time that leads to the route of discovery.

Don’t let boredom propel your children to the screens of television, iPads, cell phones and video games but instead encourage them to go outside and engage in physical activity. Bodies are designed to move and staying active actually aids in sustaining attention and elevating mood. If possible, refrain from always having your children play in a factory-made play structure that is often designed for a specific purpose. In a natural play area, with sand, logs, boulders, rocks and/or water, you better stimulate children’s imaginations, increase their energy levels and get their creative juices flowing. There is an element of risk and problem solving, which can make for a magical time of imagination, creativity and self-discovery and also relieves boredom.

*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

Remember that reading is the best prescription for boredom and transports the reader to a new world! Check out our book lists or consider some of the following books about boredom: