My Preschooler’s Time-Tested Top 10 Book Picks

March 3, 2015

We have been reading with my daughter, now 3, since she was born. Her small room has bins packed with favorite books that she can reach, sort, and choose herself. Stories, often as many as six or seven, are a central part of her bedtime and nap time ritual.

This “top 10” list consists of the books that have stood the test of time. Through flights of toddler fancy, they are the books she comes back to again and again. With clever text, engaging illustrations, and a variety of characters and themes, these titles include both classics from my own childhood and contemporary picks. From trucks to trains and animals on adventure, I hope you and your child might enjoy some new favorites from this list!

“Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site” by Sheri Duskey Rinker

As the day ends, the cheerful, colorful trucks finish their work and get settled down to sleep. Wonderful rhyming text and sweet illustrations.

“Rosie Revere, Engineer” by Andrea Beaty

This is a marvelous story about a little girl who loves to invent and create — and who learns a valuable lesson about the virtue of mistakes and trying again from her dear Aunt Rose. Brilliant illustrations. One of few stories with a little girl who dreams to be an engineer.

“The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt

This charming and witty story (some clever humor the adult set will enjoy) is about the life and times of the crayons in the crayon box. Poor Beige and Pink are underused while Red and Blue are exhausted from so much drawing. The illustrations by Oliver Jeffers are outstanding and so realistic they look as though little hands drew them.

“Madeline in London” by Ludwig Bemelmans

This is a classic tale from my own childhood handed down to my daughter. We love the clever rhyming text, simple illustrations, and gaggle of girls with many adventures. The whole series is terrific, but this title in particular features a lost puppy that my daughter finds irresistible.

“Dog Loves Drawing” by Louise Yates

A book-loving dog finds adventure with pens, crayons, and paper. He doodles, draws, and writes his own story.

“Corduroy” by Don Freeman

In this timeless children’s classic, an adorable bear finds a home and a friend.

“Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats

We have read this one a lot over the winter — a simple and endearing book about the joy and wonder found in snow.

“There’s No Place Like Space” by Tish Rabe

From the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library series, the Cat in the Hat with friends Thing One and Thing Two explore space and learn about the solar system. My girl loves her space pajamas and reading this book; she learned the words “constellation” and “Saturn” just from this book. Great for all the budding astronauts.

“Zen Shorts” by John J. Muth

This collection of short tales features Stillwater the giant panda who befriends a family of children. The stories have wonderful life lessons, and the illustrations are simply beautiful. While toddlers won’t necessarily grasp the deeper meaning, the wonder of bears and children being friends transcends age. There are other books by this author that feature Stillwater, and those are also lovely.

“The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper

Originally published in 1930, this tale of a kind and helpful little train is endearing. My daughter loves the train (and all trains, in fact) and the beautiful illustrations of all the dolls and toys.

8 Ways to Enhance Reading Time with Your Child

Jozie Ewart

March 1, 2015

Reading to our children is a natural inclination for most parents. Stories have been passed down throughout humanity, first through oral tradition and then written text. We share this history with our children each time we pull them into our laps and open a book. We share language, imagery, experience, and emotion. Children love to hear their adults’ voices engaged in a story. They may develop favorites, asking you to read “Goodnight Moon” again, and again, and again. We know it’s important to read to our children, and the act of reading is fairly simple. But there are a few things you can do to help your children get the most out of your story time experience — and make it more fun for you, too!

1. Model concepts about print.

This is a fancy way of saying, show your child how books work. Show your child how to hold a book. Show them that books have a front cover and a back, that there are pages in the middle. Show your child how to turn the pages, what direction you read in. Point out the text, identifying sentences, words, and letters. Tell your child that the words contain a message, and that message is what you are conveying to them.

2. Take a picture walk.

The pictures in a story are often just as important as the words! A picture walk is a way to read the story without reading any words. This can be done with new stories as a way to familiarize and make predictions about the story. Or it can be done with stories you have read many times — letting go of the words and just looking at the pictures is a way to make an old favorite new.

3. Build vocabulary.

It is well documented that the act of reading builds a child’s vocabulary. A conscious way to do this with young children is to point out as many objects, characters, and ideas as possible. Pause when you see something in an illustration or read something in the text that you think may be unfamiliar to them. Talk about the word — describe it and spend a little time with just that piece of information.

4. Use intonations in your voice.

When you are reading a story, especially one you have read 10,000 times, make it fun by giving characters special voices, illuminating sounds, and changing your volume to create wonder and surprise. This is what links reading to storytelling, and storytelling to theater. This is what creates joy in the experience. It may even help your child to remember information more easily.

5. Let your child choose.

Allow your child to guide your story time. Let them pick the books. (You may need to encourage them to move beyond their favorites at some point. Do this by letting them pick one and picking one yourself.) Let them choose the place to sit, the blanket to cuddle up with. Let your child hold the book, turn the pages (even if they go too fast sometimes — improvise the in-between, or gently point out that you missed some of the story). Letting your child choose sends the message that reading can be an enjoyable, independent activity.

6. Build background knowledge.

Reading is a way to help us understand the world around us. But when the world around us is new, sometimes it can be difficult to understand concepts presented in a book. For instance, if you are reading a book about a big city but you live in a small town, your child may not have any experience to draw on to understand what a city is. This is when you can take your story time off your couch and out into the world! Building background knowledge is as simple as going out and experiencing the world. You can base reading choices on what your child is experiencing, or vice versa.

7. Create a dialogue.

Talk to your child about books. Make the characters, the events, and the ideas you encounter during your story time part of your everyday conversations and life. Also, take time while reading to talk about life. Your child may make connections between your stories and their day at school, or their trip to the zoo, or even a dream they had last night. These connections build pathways in their brains, allowing them to link memories with ideas and words. This is how language grows.

8. Read every day.

Read to your child every day, yes. But also read for yourself every day. Read in front of your child. Read the newspaper. Read a book. Read the side of a cereal box. It doesn’t matter what you read (although some might argue that reading from a screen may not be excellent modeling), it simply matters that you show your child that reading is an important part of life. Show your child that you can read for information and enjoyment, and they will likely learn and love to do the same!

A Few of My Favorite MetroWest Things

Lindsey Galvao

February 27, 2015

Acton's Discovery Museum in MetroWest Boston — Acton’s Discovery Museum

After living in Natick for four years, I’ve scoured the MetroWest area and surrounding towns for places that make me feel like I’m still living in Boston. The transition to suburbia was hard, and while I still miss city living, Natick and its surrounding areas have grown on me immensely. Here are a few of my favorite MetroWest spots I’ve discovered recently:

Favorite Coffee Shop: Charles River Coffee House (Natick)

Mama needs her coffee, and the Charles River Coffee House in South Natick is the place to be. It’s family friendly, and the homemade cupcakes are toddler approved. Steve, the owner, is friendly and engaging, and he carries a wide range of global coffee blends. He also has a few games available that can keep little ones occupied while parents recover with some hot or iced coffee or tea. They also sell a wide range of pastries, breakfast, and lunch options. Its cozy setting with a “city” coffee house feel has made it one of our favorite family hangouts on the weekends.

Favorite small grocery store: Tilly’s & Salvy’s (Natick)

Tilly’s, you have won my heart forever. This family-run grocery store in MetroWest has enough produce and meat options to cover our family’s needs for the week, and it carries an abundance of local food choices. Rick, the owner, always takes the time to talk to my daughter and personally gives her a free pretzel (there is always a bag of pretzels available for customers at check-out). Plus, they now carry craft beer and wine, so I can grab a quick bottle for a nice dinner. They also sell a large selection of Christmas trees and wreaths for the holiday season. Hands down, Tilly’s is one of our favorite places to go, and my daughter asks to go visit Tilly’s on a daily basis.

Favorite restaurant for a date night: La Morra (Brookline)

OK, this is a bit out of my usual stomping grounds, but La Morra is our favorite restaurant to dine sans child. Josh and Jen Ziskin, the owners, create amazing northern Italian dishes for a dining experience that will leave you satisfied but begging for more. Tom Brady once quoted their beef bolognese as his favorite dish in the area.

Favorite place for a kid-friendly brunch: J&M Diner (Framingham)

A family-run diner in MetroWest, the food is incredible, the menu provides a plethora of options, and they love having children as diners. Be forewarned that the wait is long on the weekends, but if your little ones can handle it, you won’t be disappointed in the food or experience.

Favorite place for gymnastics classes: Planet Gymnastics (Natick)

I cannot praise Planet Gymnastics enough. The instructors are friendly, the facilities are clean, and my daughter has blossomed since she started taking classes there last summer! In the summer, you can take unlimited classes (as long as there is availability) for one flat price. It’s been the best way to introduce my daughter to athleticism while letting her have free play and fun in a safe environment.

Favorite museum for little ones: Discovery Museum (Acton)

With easy access from our house, my daughter has loved every minute of her time at the Discovery Museum, and I love not having the hassle of driving into the city for my daughter to have a fun day at a museum. With plenty of activities and imaginative play, the museum has a variety of rooms with special themes — plus an outdoor area with a giant treehouse! Our daughter especially loves the giant play kitchen and diner room and the train.

From Tea to Gymboree – How to Not Go Broke Buying Kids Clothes

Matina Fell

February 26, 2015

When I found out I was having a girl, I could not wait to spend my entire paycheck go clothes shopping for her. She would have her own style, for sure. A laid back, bohemian vibe. She would wear matching accessories like scarves and hats and headbands and little booties. And she would only dress in Tea, Hanna, and Hatley.

Then I actually had my daughter.

And started buying dozens of burp cloths.

And millions of white onesies.

And billions of diapers.

And started reeeaaaally paying attention to price tags.

Let’s just say reality started to set in. Babies were expensive. How could one itty bitty little lady cost so much? I knew I had to cut back, and I hated to admit that the super duper cute clothes I was buying were contributing to the problem. Honestly, my 3-week-old baby didn’t care what she were wearing — and some of the frilly, uber-girly stuff looked a little silly anyway.

Here are a few things I did to start saving on kids clothes:

1. I joined Facebook groups.

Arlington Closet Sharers, Boston-Area High End Baby & Kids Clothes, and Boston Tea Party are a few groups I immediately joined. There are so many local, friendly ladies looking to unload their gently used kids clothes. I browse through pics weekly, comment on what I’m interested in, and, more often than not, I can pick up the items that week — usually from someone’s porch while paying from my phone or leaving the money owed in their mailbox. Easy stuff.

2. I checked out consignment shops.

Used clothing stores can get a bad rap. But the children’s consignment stores are another story. Everything’s in great condition, and they have strict policies to ensure you’re only getting the highest quality items. Some of my favorite shops in the Boston area are Growing Up in Belmont and The Fox & Robbin Shop in Arlington.

3. I accepted hand me downs.

It’s like a baby explosion in my circle. Friends are having babies left and right. And when my girlfriends were having their second, third, or last kids, they were looking to unload tons of stuff quickly and easily. Not just clothes, but bouncers, jumperoos, swings — all the things that cost a million dollars and that babies use for like two weeks. If your girlfriends are offering you stuff, just take it. Trust me, they want it out of their house. And they want it out fast.

4. I started shopping sales.

I know this one sounds intuitive, but when a season was ending, I would stock up on larger sizes for the next year. I bought 2T bathing suits (for $5!) in September, even though my daughter was 1. And vice versa for winter. I usually ended up doing this for big ticket items, like snow suits, jackets, or boots. The only downside? Storing really cute things away for months at a time. But hey, when I took each item out of storage, it was like Christmas morning all over again.

Why I Love Being a Boston Commuter

Rebecca Couture

February 25, 2015

You’re thinking I’m crazy, because what is there to like about getting up early and jumping on a train everyday? It can be dirty, germy, and crowded. And the T during the summer months? Well, you kind of have to be there. So what is there to like about my Boston commute? Well, LOTS!

Some of my favorite childhood memories are of hopping on the Green Line in Brookline Village with my grandmother, heading off for an adventure. I can remember her pulling out an old change purse and counting out one token and $0.15 for our trip into town. Shopping, museums, “The Nutcracker.” You name it, we did it. Now as an adult, I get the same butterflies during my morning commute.

After living in Vermont for 12 years, city life was something I craved. When my husband and I moved our family to Massachusetts three years ago, there was no question in my mind that Boston was where I wanted to work. Living 33 miles outside of the city and having to commute was nothing new for me — I lived 30 miles outside of Burlington, VT, and had to drive at least 30 minutes to reach many things.

The difference between there and here? The MBTA.

Sure, it has its faults, and the winter months present challenges and unpredictability. But my travel time is my ME time. It’s the time when I can write, read, listen to music, unwind, and think. I’m reading more books than ever, I never have to drive in poor weather conditions, and my carbon footprint has been drastically reduced.

Taking the T often means getting in a good walk, too — and I couldn’t love walking through Boston more! Weather and temperature permitting, my typical route is from Back Bay to Beacon Hill. I could take the T (and during certain times of year, I do), but why would I when I have access to the Public Garden and the cobblestone sidewalks of Charles Street? There is something to be said for taking a city stroll — it puts me in the perfect state of mind for tackling a crazy day or for relieving stress at the end of one. I love that I can leave the chaos of my work world behind because I am too busy admiring the beautiful swans and willows or window shopping on Newbury. It feels like a luxury to arrive at home refreshed, inspired, and ready to spend the evening with my family.

All that said, things don’t always go as planned, and even my sunny disposition can be crushed by a weather delay or switch problem. Commuting does have some downsides. Taking a train at 5:35 a.m. in the winter is not ideal. Waiting around in the evenings because the commuter runs on a less frequent schedule can be maddening. I am also at the mercy of not only the commuter rail schedule, but the T as well. Two to three minutes can make all the difference in the world, and missing a train by one minute at the end of the day is kind of a nightmare. I have been late to work, stuck on the track, and stuck in Boston.

These experiences, however, are the exception and not the rule. Over the course of my commuter years I have become better about preparing myself so that even if there is an unexpected bump I have snacks, water, my laptop, and my phone at the ready. I can catch up on the news, pay bills, answer emails, watch movie trailers, text with friends, even sleep! The other day I checked in with two different family members, paid a bill, and set up a play date. By the time I made it home, I felt like I had accomplished a few things and could actually be present.

I would absolutely love to be closer to the city, but I also fear that I would lose this precious time that, as a working mom, I desperately need. I choose to look at all the wonderful things my commute affords me and to appreciate the experiences I longed for in my previous life as a country girl.

Take a look at your day and your commute, and see how you, too, can make the most of your time. Maybe your bus ride allows you to finish a cup of coffee without your ever-helpful toddler sticking their hand in it. Maybe you release your stress by singing Taylor Swift at the top of your lungs in the cozy comfort of your warm car. Wherever it is, find that silver lining or positive attribute to your daily grind, grab it, and exploit it. You’ll be amazed at how it can enhance your life!

Surviving Winter in Boston with an Infant

Rachel Silverman

February 23, 2015

Some day I’m going to look back at the first few months of Anna’s life and laugh with her. We’ll talk about how it was a record-breaking winter for Boston, how her dog Abby LOVED her first (and second and third and fourth…) snowy days, and how I used to take her on walks wearing her under my coat.

In the meantime though, I have to admit that winter with an infant in Boston is HARD. Looking outside and seeing mounds of snow higher than my head is disheartening. It would be easy to curl up in a ball and hibernate until spring. Instead, I challenge you to conquer the weather, tackle the winter blues, and embrace the intense amount of slush. Boston in winter is not for the weak-hearted. But with the right preparation, we can do it — and maybe even enjoy it! Here’s how.

Get the right equipment.

Both you and the baby (and any other creatures, human or pets) need the right equipment for the job. For us city-dwellers, that means I use:

a sturdy stroller like the UppaBaby Vista (based in the South Shore!) that pushes through the snow and slush
a car seat cocoon (don’t settle for something like a BundleMe for a car seat — it’s not safe)
a rain cover for the car seat
good winter boots (for the adults in the family — and these ridiculous-but-they-do-the-job Pawz for the dog)
a good winter coat — I got a hand-me-down that is too big for me, but it was perfect for my pregnant belly and then for wearing my daughter under the coat

If you’re in the suburbs, you want to make sure you can safely get in and out of the places you normally go. Will a Snap-N-Go type stroller cut it with the kind of snow your town gets and the job the plows do? Are you outside in your backyard regularly? If so, you need a way for your infant to keep warm. Are you responsible for shoveling? Your kiddo shouldn’t be outside that long, so will you get a babysitter or is there another family member who can watch your infant while you shovel? Perhaps you want to hire someone else to do the shoveling this year.

Take care of yourself by eating well.

The best gifts we got when Anna was born were the meals our community put together for us. For weeks we received delicious, healthy, mostly homemade meals delivered to our door by friends and neighbors. We ate better in the weeks after her birth than we ate my entire pregnancy! Our fridge was always full, the leftovers were plentiful, and we never felt like we had to order take-out because there was “nothing to eat.”

After the meals stopped, we decided to go on a Whole30 diet — 30 days of clean eating with a focus on proteins, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Best decision of my maternity leave. I feel so good! I have more energy than I have ever had before, and I can do the late-night feeding shift as well as the first one in the morning without falling asleep. But more than the physical benefits is the amazing feeling I get knowing I’m taking care of myself and my family.

Whatever your way of eating, make a commitment to what will help you feel your best, and stick with it. Make taking care of yourself a priority!

Get out of the house — every day.

This is the hardest piece of doing winter with an infant. You have to leave the house. No excuses.

The time post-baby is an easy one for parents to hole-up inside, staying in our pajamas all day — particularly if you’re battling postpartum depression. If you think you might be depressed, call your doctor. ASAP. Give yourself and your baby the gift of getting help. If you’re feeling tired, overwhelmed, and that it’s just easier to stay home, call a friend, make plans, and leave the house. (In the first few weeks, if it’s too overwhelming to leave, invite a friend over — and then invite her to help you get out another time!)

Need some ideas for getting out with the baby?

Head to the movies! Many local theaters show films in the middle of the day geared to parents and caregivers! The lights are dimmed but not dark, the sound is loud enough to hear but not blaring, and there’s a changing table for you to use. No one cares if your baby cries or if you need to walk around in the middle of the movie.
Visit the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) for culture, art, food, and fun. If your kids are a little older than infants (and are interested in what’s happening around them), check out all the colorful pieces of art in the contemporary sections. The museum is very baby/stroller friendly.
Spend time at your local library. Sometimes we walk to our local library to pick up books, and other times we go just because it’s there and something to do! Many libraries offer baby-specific singalongs and story times, too!
Run your errands (grocery shopping, Target, thrift stores, etc.). Early on, we we picked an errand a day and made it our activity. Forcing myself into this taught me I could travel with my baby, feed/change her in a public place, and live to tell the tale.
Visit family. If you’re lucky enough to have family nearby, make a day trip of it. Nothing excites my dog and kid more than a trip to the grandparents’ house. My dog can frolic in a big backyard and knows exactly where Papa keeps the dog treats. My kid is treated to non-stop attention from her adoring grandparents. And I get to nap. It’s win-win for everyone.
Walk the dog. If nothing else, take a walk. One of the great things about having a dog is that I HAVE to take her out a few times a day. Yes, there are days when I’ve been a wimp and taken her on shorter walks than I’d like. But at least we’re out of the house. (I struggled for a while to figure out how to walk with both a dog and a baby. Baby-wearing has worked best for me. Putting her in a wrap or carrier means she comes with me, stays warm, and the dog can’t accidentally pull over the stroller.)

Join a parenting group.

I’m in the “new arrivals” class at the Newton JCC. My husband is participating in a new dads group. We’ve loved the opportunity to connect with other people going through many of the same things we’re experiencing. It’s been rewarding and relieving to know we’re not alone. If you follow only one piece of advice this winter, this is the one to follow!

Be kind to yourself.

Recognize that parenting is hard work. And parenting in the middle of winter in Boston is even harder. Give yourself a break. Make time for yourself, whether that’s a manicure, an hour at the gym, or coffee with your friends — make sure it is a regular part of your week. It’s important to have reasonable expectations of what you can accomplish. Chances are (at least for me), a few errands are more than enough for one day. I can’t do a Target run, a movie, and a trip to the gym all in the same day.

And in the end, you just have to embrace it. Winter with an infant in Boston can be cold, dark, and a bit lonely, if you don’t make the extra effort. So dive right in!

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