Eyes sparking, minds
receptive, the children’s slight bodies vibrate like
tuning forks of language, wonder and virtue when we read together.
read in a “secret” place. Goldilocks acquires a new dimension when read under the kitchen table. My fourth remedy was to introduce
dinner readings. “For the first course,” I’d say, “a heaping helping of Hansel and Gretel.” Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches lend themselves nicely to this departure from standard fare. Fifth, I’d occasionally take a break by
playing a talking book episode. It made old standbys like Tom Sawyer fresh again. As a sixth solution, when I as-
signed the kids parts in a story the plot took on a dimension that would often make us giggle. Even very young children that haven’t learned to read are able to memorize well-loved passages and recite lines verbatim. The seventh remedy was to spin
original tales. When I was a boy, my mother created an entire forest world populated by clever animals: Fox, the sly one; Owl, the fusty Winston Churchill; and Beetle Boy, the action hero. I took what she began and cre- ated Further Adventures from the Deep, Dark Wood. While I didn’t feel every inch
the polished spinner of tales early on, neither did I abdicate the richly fulfilling role of chief reader for our little tribe. The more interest I showed their beloved classics, the closer they snuggled. Remedies in hand, my attitude improved. I relaxed and be- came less attached to my “other” read- ing material. At story time, I soaked up the hugs, the laughter and the love. Truth be told, I came to like having the most luxurious—and requested— lap around.
Clint Kelly, a communications specialist for Seattle Pacific University, in Wash- ington, authors tales for children and adults on topics ranging from dinosaurs to child rearing. Connect at ClintKelly
Books.com.
natural awakenings June 2012 29
Explaining New Experiences with Books by Sherri Alpert
It often, however, is not the situation itself but not knowing what to expect that causes the fear. Parents can help to prepare children for new experiences in a stress-free way. Today there are so many informative resources available such as videos, the internet and books. Children’s books are wonderful resource that can be picked up and used again and again until a child is fully familiar with the information that it contains and feels prepared for a new situation. Reading a picture book is an activ-
A
ity which can be done together as a family. Parents can read the story while children follow along with the pictures. Even a very young child can look at the pictures independently. A book allows parents to provide information to their children in a way that can be easily understood. Parents can stop to answer children’s questions and a single page can be read over and over. For instance, a picture book about
going for a check-up can help children feel more comfortable and know exactly what to expect. These types of books help allay any fears that children might have by showing pictures of everything that likely will happen during the visit.
first doctor or dental visit, the first day of school or any new sit- uation can be scary for children.
When they are prepared, they are more cooperative and feel more in control. Books that educate children about
how to stay healthy also are important. For instance, a book can show children what can happen to their teeth if they don’t brush and floss regularly. Such books are written in a way so children understand why it is important to take care of their teeth or eat healthy or stay active or whatever the message of the book may be. When children under- stand the why they are more likely to be proactive. Being emotionally prepared for any
new experience is good for everyone involved. When children know what to expect, everyone is less stressed and adults are more able to offer emotional support to their children. It is a win-win situation.
Dentist Sherri Alpert is the owner of Dental Wellness of Suffern and the au- thor of two children’s books: Cassandra Gets Her Smile Back and Attack of the Sugar Bugs, both available at
Amazon.com. Children receive a free copy of either book with their first visit. Dr. Alpert’s practice is located at 2 Executive Blvd, Suite 307, Suffern. For more information, call 918-1801 or visit
DentalWellnessOfSufffern.com.
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