starting school: 3 Articles

Mom reading to her little girl

Week of the Young Child: Books to Share

Celebrate little kids! April 2-8 is the Week of the Young Child.  The Week of the Young Child®  was established in 1971 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It recognizes that the early childhood years, from birth through age 8, lay the foundation for children's success in school and later life.  The purpose of the Week of the Young Child® is to focus public attention on the needs of young children, ages birth to 8,  and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. 1  Magination Press has published a number of books specifically for young children. Here are some of our series that explore developmental stages, experiences, and emotions from the young child's world. Share them with your young child! Big Little Talks Series The Big Little Talks books are fun stories to ease both parents and children through typical and common life stages using empathic listening and encouraging an understanding of age-appropriate behavior and emotions. Feel Better Books Series This acclaimed series of books for kids ages 4-8 that explores young children's common feelings and experiences. Written in light, rhyming verse, The Feel Better Books identify emotions or challenging situations and provide kid-friendly coping strategies. Get Ready Board Books Series   This series of cleverly wordless board books with bright illustrations will delight little ones and their parents and provides an endless opportunity to engage toddlers in their own storytelling and interpretation of what they see in the book. Super cute and appealing, little kids will see themselves in the stories as the books capture a family's experience. Once Upon a Garden Series “The series is perfect for young children who are working with issues of shyness, self-acceptance, and courage, and discovering new talents, skills and hard work. There is simplicity in the text and the illustrations are happy and bright and compliment the emotions and themes in each book. This series is sure to boost the self-confidence of children.”  —Children’s Books Heal Terrific Toddlers Series Written with simple language and reflective of children's realities, the Terrific Toddlers series is based on understanding of the developmental level of young toddlers. Books for Nourishing Friendships Series “Children will relate to strong and memorable characters that jump off the pages, identify with their friendship problems and learn some new strategies for coping. The characters deal with their own issues and do their own problem solving in all three stories — no adults involved...This series will be a winning one with children.” —Children's Books Heal Check out other books feelings, family, and friendship to read with your young child.

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Week of the Young Child: Books to Share 2022-04-06T17:05:12-04:00

When a Dragon Goes to School: Interview with the Author

Starting school is a big milestone. Knowing what to expect can help ease that transition. Caryl Hart’s new book, When a Dragon Goes to School, follows a dragon as it explores the routines and manners that children, will experience in preschool. Magination Press asked the author about creating this delightful new picture book, which is a companion to When a Dragon Comes Stay.  Magination Press: What inspired you to write When a Dragon Goes to School? Caryl Hart: The first book in the series, When a Dragon Comes to Stay, was so popular that my publisher, Nosy Crow, asked if I’d like to write a second book where the little dragon starts school. Of course I said yes straight away!   I remember only too well how difficult it was to settle my own children into school when they were small - we had lots of tears and leg-clinging, which was hugely upsetting at the time. Little did I know that, while I felt terrible for the rest of the day, my girls skipped off to have fun as soon as I was out of sight! Starting school is such a huge milestone for young children and creating fun, reassuring books is a great way to help prepare them. Our story includes common routines like hanging your coat and bag on a peg, entering the classroom, sitting in your special place, listening to the teacher and being kind to your new friends - all things that most children will experience during their first days at school. Children who are already familiar with the school environment can sometimes struggle to talk about their experiences and might not know how to tell their grownups when things don’t go quite right. Reading books like When a Dragon Goes to School can help open up this dialogue and give children the tools they need to process difficult, exciting, or new experiences, ultimately helping them feel happy and safe. MP: Why are manners in school so important? CH: Young children are often used to being the sole focus of attention at home, so learning to get along with others can be quite a challenge. Understanding school routines and learning to consider other people’s feelings help the school day run smoothly, which ultimately makes the experience a pleasant and rewarding one for everyone! Most children do actually want to behave in a way that will please the adults in their lives, and modeling appropriate behavior in picture books can help them work out what is expected of them. Demonstrating funny scenarios of what would never do is a funny and endearing way to discuss the behaviors they are aiming for.  MP: Can you recall a teacher that you had in school who helped you learn good etiquette? CH: I can’t remember anyone at school specifically teaching me about manners - my parents were pretty good at that!  I think learning good manners is just part and parcel of the fabric of school life.  We raise our

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When a Dragon Goes to School: Interview with the Author 2021-07-16T15:54:13-04:00

Build Independence with Great Books for Kids

In honor of Independence Day, here are some stories for kids about being independent. Whether it’s trying new things, overcoming anxieties, or making new friends, these stories can help your child strike out on their own. Too Shy To Say Hi by Shannon Anderson Shelli used to be content in her little world, thinking that her pet friends with feathers, fins, and fur were enough. But now, Shelli is determined to try to make friends with kids at school. Readers will relate as Shelli takes brave steps toward breaking out of her shell. Making friends can be tough, but this rhyming picture book will help navigate difficulties of shyness and social anxiety. Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers by Elizabeth McCallum, PhD, with more information about shyness and social anxiety. “Nakata’s wispy, light brush strokes match the emotional impact of Shelli’s uncertainty, shimmering and delicate across the page... Echoes the inner thoughts some anxious children may have, hopefully making them feel less alone.” —Kirkus Reviews Hear Too Shy to Say Hi read aloud here. The Not-So-Scary Dog by Alanna Probst, MD Tommy’s fear of dogs is keeping him away from the birthday party of the year, so he and his mom hatch a step-by-step plan to overcome his fear in time for the party. This is a lighthearted, straightforward introduction to the concept of exposure therapy for kids dealing with phobias.  Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers about how to support kids working through exposure therapy. Read an excerpt from the Note to Parents and Caregivers here. Hear The Not So Scary Dog read aloud here. Baby Blue by Judi Abbot Baby Blue lives in a blue world—everything is blue, from the trees, to the flowers, to the animals. When he accidentally tears a hole and a strange light pours in, he can see someone that isn’t blue—another little person like him, only they are yellow. Scared but curious, he overcomes his fear and introduces himself to Baby Yellow. With his new friend, he realizes that the world is full of new and wonderful things to discover. This sweet story encourages children to conquer their fear of the unknown and take a chance on new and different things. Hear Baby Blue read aloud here. Read an interview with Judi Abbot about creating Baby Blue here. Find Your Fierce by Jacqueline Sperling, PhD Teens will become their bravest and fiercest selves and overcome social anxiety disorder with this helpful, upbeat book written by an expert in the field. Social anxiety is tough, but teens don’t have to figure it out alone. This empowering book will walk them through strategies that work. From practicing mindfulness to relaxing their bodies, readers can train their brains to help them gradually get back to doing more of what they love to do. These tools will help teens manage anxiety in the future and keep it from managing them. This book uses evidence-based skills from cognitive behavioral therapy to give teens a toolkit

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Build Independence with Great Books for Kids 2021-06-29T01:28:07-04:00