When my firstborn was just a baby, an artist friend introduced me to his children, who were ages six and eight. I was surprised and delighted when each made eye contact, said hello audibly, and offered a handshake. They seemed so comfortable and...
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“I want Sofía to learn English, but I feel funny reading in English when I’m just beginning to learn the language myself. Is it OK if I read to my daughter in Spanish sometimes?” Mrs. Ramirez asked her daughter’s preschool teacher, Susan. She was...
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We have a new “baby” in our house—a puppy named Lily. Now, it’s been years since I had my three little ones at my feet, but when we brought her home, I thought, No sweat. I can handle a little bundle of joy in my life again, albeit a furry one....
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When I rock a baby in my arms, the world just seems right.
Will somebody bring me a rocking chair and a baby to borrow so the world rights itself again? Lately, the world seems like a pretty crazy place.
In my (literal) neck of the...
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When I was in elementary school—way back when—my parents would give me a dollar if I received an A in “Behavior” on our quarterly report cards. They didn’t pay for good academic grades—although it was clear that they expected my very best effort...
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“The Reading Mother” is an old poem, and I’m not sure when I first heard it. But my favorite line comes to mind whenever I see a mom reading to her child: “Richer than I you will never be--I had a mother who read to me.” Certainly, by that...
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Last weekend, my husband I were totally flummoxed by a robin who crashed into our dining room window over and over again.
We were desperate to help. We tried taping paper over the two window panes the bird favored, but the bird simply...
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Before I could read or write, I knew how a library card worked—and I desperately wanted one of my own. The librarian said that I could have one–as soon as I learned to print my name. I got right to work on that, and I can remember receiving the...
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My daughter was a thumb sucker from the beginning. She looked adorable as an infant as she self-comforted. But as she grew older and started walking and then running, it charmed me less. I started to worry. I wanted her to stop. My wonderful,...
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I know a family trying to visit as many different states as possible with their children. They track their progress with a pin-map on their kitchen wall–low-tech and old-school, but a great conversation starter when guests come for dinner.
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© Highlights For Children
