,

First Books and Early Language Development

Jo Burnell (in KBR) treats us to this amazing post on the correlation between early language development and choosing first books for your child. Jo is an experienced paediatric speech pathologist with a passion for books.

‘What’s the point of all this alliteration business, anyway, and why do we bother to make things rhyme?’

This comment by a fellow writer took me by surprise. I had no idea that the links between normal language development and our writing techniques were not common knowledge.

Matching your writing techniques to the developmental skills of your target age group is a key to winning children over. It’s what makes children’s eyes widen with delight and lures them back for more. When a toddler is working hard at combining two words, their favourite books inevitably model how this is done.

As a speech pathologist who has helped children with communication difficulties for more than twenty-five years, it’s hard to know where to begin. Instead of presenting a mini-thesis, I’ll try to summarise some key points about normal patterns of language development and link these landmarks to how we write for children.

more => http://bit.ly/e11I4e

, , ,

“If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn’t need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around.” —Jim Rohn

,

Advocacy at its very best – Teacher-librarian Joyce Valenza

What librarians make. A response to Dr. Bernstein and an homage to Taylor Mali

He says the problem with librarians is that they are antiquated.

The problem with libraries is that they are anachronisms, sacred cows.

Sometimes, when I am introduced, people refer to me as more than a librarian because I write a blog or speak at an occasional conference. Because it is not impressive enough to be a librarian.

In polite company, I bite my tongue when I hear them ask:

“You’re a librarian, Joyce,” they say. “Be honest. With all the information available for free on the Web, what exactly do you do?”

They ask me to be honest.

And, you see, like Taylor, I have a policy about honesty, especially when it has to do with equity for kids. To be honest, I believe that all children deserve strong school libraries with professional teacher librarians.

And, if you ask for my honesty, I have to let you have it.

I am not an anachronism.

You want to know what I do? You want to know why I am here?

The whole, wonderful article is here... http://bit.ly/eeVc0P

,

The Seven Spiritual Laws


by Deepak Chopra

Real spiritual growth changes a person in a paradoxical way, bringing both understanding and preserving innocence. Deeper than love, the one thing you can’t do without is innocence. Innocence is the source of love. It is openness.

The Seven Spiritual Laws :

  1. Everything is possible. We all have the gift of creating absolutely anything. There’s no limit to what we can do or be.
  2. If you want to get something, give it. Always give with a happy heart. The greatest gift is feeling good.
  3. When you make a choice, you change the future (karma). Your choices bring about changes. To make good choices, follow your heart. How do your choices make you feel?
  4. Don’t say no—go with the flow. Create peace within by learning acceptance of what is outside our control.
  5. Every time you wish or want, you plant a seed. Making your wish is like planting a seed and believing that it will grow. Let nature do the rest.
  6. Be open to life and enjoy the journey. New ways and new ideas can lead to more happiness.
  7. You are here for a reason. Your dharma is your purpose, path, or vision, the unique talent that you are here on Earth to share. Your dharma is your happiness.

, , , , , ,

How do you Wokka wokka?

How do you wokka wokkaHow Do You Wokka-Wokka?

by Elizabeth Bluemle

Say "HEY!" to your neighbors and get your dance on! Jazzy rhythms, silly rhymes, and welcoming images are guaranteed to entice little readers.

Some days you wake up and you just gotta wokka. Wokka what? Wokka-wokka!

Get more information here (and the book)

If you are buying, you can buy direct from me, or find more information and compare prices at Amazon (It will probably depend on how much you pay for postage)



Thought for the Day – Success

"There are many aspects to success; material wealth is only one component. ...But success also includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being, and peace of mind."

Deepak Chopra

,

Free book extract – Attitude is everything

Read more
, , , , , , ,

Book Trailer for The Magician’s Elephant, by Kate DiCamillo

Trailer produced by Sangeeta Garg

Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo--author of The Tale of Despereaux and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane-- has crafted another exquisite novel for young readers. The Magician's Elephant tells the tale of Peter Augustus Duchene, a ten-year-old orphan who receives an unbelievable piece of information from the local fortuneteller. Peter learns that his fate is tied to an elephant that has inexplicably fallen from the sky when a magician's trick goes terribly wrong. Why did it happen? And, how can an elephant possibly change the course of Peter's life? This darkly atmospheric, yet hopeful tale, demonstrates that when the answers to life’s big questions are opaque or unforthcoming, all is not lost. DiCamillo's rhythmic writing, combined with Yoko Tanaka's mysterious black-and-white illustrations, enchants and calls out to our sincerest wishes and dreams

,

From Pivotal Magazine – Why your Employees are Losing Motivation

Business literature is packed with advice about worker motivation—but sometimes managers are the problem, not the inspiration. Here are seven practices to fire up the troops. From Harvard Management Update

=> http://bit.ly/gfWyUr

, , ,

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -- John Fitzgerald Kennedy