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Cuddle up and read to a child this Valentine's Day Date published: 2/14/2006
VALENTINE'S DAY gives us New research on brain development tells us that babies are born with millions of brain cells, but they are not yet connected the way they are in adults. These connections, or synapses, are formed through sensory experiences--touch, taste, smell, hearing, seeing. They are what make it possible for children to learn. High levels of the hormone serotonin, produced when children are loved, cuddled and cared for, enhance these connections. In other words, brain research confirms what loving parents and caregivers have always known: children who are loved and happy find it easier to learn. "Rethinking the Brain" by Rima Shore and "Right from Birth: Building Your Child's Foundation for Life" by Craig and Sharon Ramey summarize this research and its implications for emotional growth, social skills, communication, and early learning of children under five. Dorothy Butler is a mother, grandmother, and bookstore owner whose short, practical guide for parents, "Reading Begins at Home," has helped thousands of parents to create successful learning environments for their young children. She reassures parents that they don't need expensive equipment or big blocks of time As she wisely says, "If a child is to learn to read, it matters far less that a home should have carpet "Starting Out Right, A Guide to Promoting Children's Reading Success" describes the key elements that research shows children need to become good readers. Compiled by the Committee on the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young Children, this practical guide tells parents about the most important language activities for very young children and then guides them through reading success in preschool and childcare settings.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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