Mad for Reading: October 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Creative Costumes

This year, make Halloween truly special . . . and perhaps even literary! Avoid commercial (and overpriced) costumes and create one with your preschooler to represent her favorite book character. Angelina Ballerina? Mike Mulligan? Corduroy? Olivia? The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Or the Cat in the Hat? Collaborate with your preschooler to come up with the right clothes and props. You will be encouraging real creativity as well as reinforcing your child's love for books.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Take Me Out to the Book Store

Is your family glued to the television, watching the baseball post-season? Make sure your preschooler gets in on the action. She will enjoy following along with you if she understands the game. So check out some books on baseball or even draw some pictures to show her how the game works. Your library may have some great books about baseball. And here are some you can order. Be sure to point out the scores in your newspaper. Make her a fan!

What I think . . .

There are all kinds of readers. Some—like my daughter and me—are never without a book to read for pleasure. Others—like my son—are careful, analytical, and curious readers who read primarily to seek information from the page.

No matter what kind of reader your child becomes, you can help him or her get started. After all, you are your child’s first teacher. And, best of all, you can have some fun in the process.

Please feel free to share your own ideas. Tell me about ways you've enjoyed reading with your child.

Madeline Boskey, Ph.D.

About Me

I am a Developmental Psychologist, with a Ph.D. from The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. I studied language and cognitive development, concentrating on the conversational behavior of two-year olds. My career has spanned research, writing, and editorial work for children, parents, and educators. I am committed to making learning enjoyable. I have worked for Sesame Workshop, Scholastic, Pearson, as well as other media companies. Currently I am a freelance editor and consultant. I serve on the Advisory Council for LitWorld, an innovative nonprofit literacy organization committed to giving all children the opportunity to tell their own stories. I live with my husband in Massachusetts, and we are the proud parents of two amazing grown children, who bring us so much joy.