The Power of Storytelling

As children we were all taken to distant lands and magical journeys through stories and books. These imaginative voyages brought us joy, sadness and excitement as well as taught us some valuable life lessons.

With The Boy Who Cried Wolf we learned there are consequences for being dishonest; The Fox and the Leopard taught us that physical beauty is only skin-deep and Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree showed us the importance of generosity. 

Through storytelling we are able to teach children valuable life lessons while entertaining them with a fascinating tale. The message is conveyed in a more fun and approachable method and they are able to go through the process of actions and their consequences with each tale.

Bed time is the perfect time to read a book or share a personal story! Storytelling can be a great bonding experience between you and your child as well as an opportunity to create an open dialogue about the stories. Ask your children if they have any questions or thoughts after each tale to ensure that they understand the valuable lessons being taught.

Have a favorite story or children’s book with a positive message? Let us know!



Etiquette: A fancy word for good manners

With proper etiquette, children and teens will gain confidence and tools needed to build positive and productive relationships in life. Below are some helpful tips you can use to incorporate teaching good manners throughout your child's every-day encounters.

• Teaching good manners begins at home. This includes table manners and phone manners as well.
• Start at an early age: begin to teach your child good manners when they are infants.
• Please and thank-you's are a must: If you hand something to you child and they don't say thank-you simply remind them and ask "what do you say?" or "what's the magic word?". Eventually they will catch on and always remember to say please and thank-you.
• Lead by example: children like to mimic those around them so it's important for you to show good manners at all times as well.
• Go out of your way: teach your child that good manners isn't just in the way you speak but in your actions. It can include: opening the door for someone, helping someone with their bags, letting someone go before you etc.
• Reciprocate good manners: Explain to your child is someone is courteous to thank them and be appreciative. If the child is the one being courteous and their good manners aren't acknowledged use it as a learning tool and ask them how it made them feel. They are more likely to remember that feeling and always be polite and say thank-you in return.

Bilingual Baby

With the Holidays approaching parents are in a frenzy searching for the “hottest” toys of 2010. Among these hot items are educational ones as well! The Chicco Bilingual Talking Farm is the perfect example of entertainment and education. It’s remarkable how this bilingual toy speaks over 250 phrases teaching your child colors, numbers, animal names and sounds in English and Spanish. It’s no wonder this little farm won “Best Toy of the Year” from Parents Magazine- we’re impressed too!