San Joaquin Parents Magazine September-October 2015

THE MAGAZINE FOR IN-THE-KNOW PARENTS

SEPT/OCT 2015SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM

LATHROP | LODI | MANTECA | RIPON | STOCKTON | TRACY

Hayrides Happenings

& Haunted Castles

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Pets & Kids

Eco-Chic Parenting

The Benefits of Reading

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4 THE MAGAZINE FOR IN-THE-KNOW PARENTS

Sept/Oct{2015}

Halloween Hayrides,Happenings & Haunted CastlesCheck out these local events throughoutOctober to get your family in the fall spirit

Worry-Free Trick or TreatFive Tips & tricks to keep yourlittle trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween

Pets & KidsThe benefits of pet ownership for children

Fun for EveryoneLocal activities open to kids of all abilities

Scheduling PlaytimeThe Importance of Free Playfor Developing Minds

Nicks, Bruises & Concussions What Parents Need to Know

SEPTEMBER 2015 / OCTOBER 2015

PUBLISHER | EDITOR

Tony Zoccoli

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

David Martinez

MANAGING EDITOR

Lindsey Rodrian

SECTION EDITORS

Melissa Hutsell & Copper Williams

ART PRODUCTION

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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Michelle Cox, Neelam Patel

REGULAR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Nora Heston Tarte, Heather Reagan-Isbill,

Rachael Kanner, Elizabeth Borsting

PHOTOGRAPHY

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DISTRIBUTION SERVICES

Rebecca Ristrim

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San Joaquin Parents Magazine

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Eco-Chic Parenting The Local Resources You Must know

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WORRY-FREE

Trick or Trick Tips & Tricks to Keep Your

Trick-or-Treaters SafeBY NORA HESTON TARTE

Halloween safety goes beyond curfews and candy wrappers. Checking candy to make sure it is sealed properly has been at the forefront of Halloween safety protocol for years. The same goes for knowing where your kids are at all times, a task made easier by cell phones and walkie-talkies. However, ill-fitting costumes and poor lighting can pose just as many risks to trick-or-treaters. Read on to learn more:

• Halloween etiquette dictates trick-or-treaters only stop at well-lit houses. If the porch light is off, the owners probably aren’t home or don’t want to be disturbed. It’s also possible they ran out of candy. Kids should skip these houses and only visit those welcoming visitors.

• Costume fit is also important. Long robes and dresses, oversized props or ill-fitting masks can lead to poor vision, trips and falls. Keep kids safe by ensuring all pieces of their costumes fit before leaving the house.

• Halloween is quite possibly the most dangerous day of the year for child pedestrians. In 2012, USA Today reported an average of 5.5 pedestrian deaths each Halloween in the United States. Any other day results in an average of 2.6 deaths. Tell children to use sidewalks, only cross in crosswalks and to be aware of their surroundings. Dark costumes can be outfitted with reflectors or glow stick necklaces and bracelets to increase visibility.

• Strangers are still strange on Halloween. Perhaps even a little more so. Tell kids not to enter houses unless they know the neighbor, or if an adult is present.

• Fire safety is important every day of the year. On Halloween, open flames are as common as jack-o’-lanterns. Make sure costumes are flame resistant and consider using alternatives in your own decorations, like LED lights, to illuminate your pumpkin’s ghoulish grin.

HalloweenHayrides, Happenings & Haunted

Castles. Check out these local events to get your family in the fall spirit

BY NORA HESTON TARTE

Dell’Osso Family FarmLathrop is home to one of the area’s most coveted pumpkin patches. From train rides to corn mazes, the family-owned farm has a slew of festive activities to keep your family busy. Grab a slice of pumpkin pie from the country store or take a ride through the spooktacular Haunted Castle and don’t forget to handpick your pumpkin on the way out. Wagons are available to cart the heaviest prizes to your car. The fun starts October 3. For more information, visit DellossoFamilyFarm.com

Manteca Pumpkin FairManteca Sunrise Kiwanis are hosting their annual Pumpkin Fair fom 10 AM-6 PM, October 3-4. Kids can take a ride down an inflatable slide, pass the time in a jump house, win prizes in pumpkin-themed games or get their face painted. Entry to the Kid Zone, where games and contests are held, is free. Continue the fun at Bass Pro Shops’ carnival, hosted by the Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis in conjunction with the fair. For more information, visit Manteca.Org

Lodi Street FaireOn October 4, families are invited to downtown Lodi for the fall edition of the largest antique and craft fair within 100 miles. The annual event takes place on the first Sunday in October and offers 700 vendors and exhibitors over 10 square blocks. For more information, visit LodiChamber.com

Stockton's Miracle MileTrick-or-treat on the mile is one way for families to enjoy safe trick or treating on Halloween. Beginning at 3 PM and going until the candy runs out, young trick-or-treaters can attend as an alternative to their usual neighborhood candy hunting activities. Restaurants and businesses on the mile participate by handing out candy to costume-clad children. For more information, visit StocktonMiracleMile.com.



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PETS & KIDS

PETS & KIDS BENEFITS OF PET OWNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN


Parents often see themselves as the ultimate role model for their children. When it comes to learning empathy, responsibility and good communication, parents rely on their own example to raise emotionally healthy children. However, moms and dads can lean on others for support, too. While teachers and secondary caregivers can help parents traverse the rocky roads of parenthood, a pet may be a helpful companion for parent and child alike. The number of households with pets has more than tripled since the 1970s with 164 million pets owned in 2012, according to the Humane Society of the United States. This equates to 62 percent of households reporting at least one pet. While pet owners, or potential pet owners, may suspect animals carry germs and pose health risks to children, studies show that dogs and cats reduce allergies in infants and young children. Specifically, living with either a dog or cat as an infant could prevent allergies to those animals in the future. Another study pointed to additional health benefits of dog ownership, claiming kids who grow up with dogs as pets have stronger immune systems.

Benefits aren’t limited to traditional pets like dogs or cats. Fish, rabbits and farm animals are good for kids, too. “I believe dogs, as well as other pets, can help children learn valuable life skills, such as responsibility, empathy, communication skills and respect,” says Connie Price, owner of Gentle Touch Dog Training in Stockton. Responsibility is an upside to pet ownership. Parents may think that agreeing to a household animal will only add to their chores, but kids can help, too. Learning how to care for a pet builds a foundation of responsibility, and even lends to the skills children need to care for babies in the future, explains Janet Bates, owner of Stockton-based Guaranteed Dog Training. Pets of all kinds have a positive emotional impact on children. Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, which has been linked to academic success, impacts the academic future of children more so than IQ.

Kids with pets are more likely to have compassion for others, higher levels of self-esteem and less stress. Additionally, pets assist with cognitive development. Low-stress communication can help children learn to speak, read and play with others. This realization has led to programs such as Paws to Read, where dogs are used as reading companions at local libraries or other facilities. In these cases, children have reportedly overcome stutters or other verbal or reading difficulties after being offered an opportunity to read to a non-judgmental listener. “Dogs are good playmates for kids,” Bates says. Pets offer the opportunity for kids to boss something around. They can learn to be the boss of the dog, but they need to learn the correct way,” she says, adding bringing kids to dog training with their pets is a good place to start. With dogs, and other pets, kids learn proper communication. “Dogs and kids are great communicators,” says Price. “There’s a lot children can learn from animals.” “While dogs can be of great benefit to children, they can also be a source of injury,” Price warns. Training courses for dogs and kids can help, as well as education for parents on how to handle interactions.

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LOCAL FUN

Fun FOREveryone

LOCAL ACTIVITIES OPEN TO KIDS OF ALL ABILITIESBY NORA HESTON TARTE

Inclusion is an important part of education and growth for children with special needs. While separate classes can offer benefits to children who learn differently, there are advantages to special needs children interacting with typical children. Inclusive classrooms and other venues offer those with special needs the opportunity to build social skills, learn by example and otherwise participate in standard learning environments. Proponents believe inclusion is a two-way street, suggesting that typical children who interact with those that have different needs learn better social skills and empathy. San Joaquin County is full of activities open to kids of all needs and abilities. While some venues have specific safety requirements for participation, many decisions are made on a

case-by-case basis. In most scenarios, reasonable accommodations can be made.

HAGGIN MUSEUM The Haggin Museum offers a platform for children to learn about art and history through artwork and interactive activities, all of which is wheelchair accessible. Here, parents and children can learn about San Joaquin County’s rich history while traipsing hallways filled with landscape paintings and rotating exhibits. Lisa Cooperman, curator of education, says kids of varying abilities

are welcome to attend the museum’s Second Saturdays. Hosted from 1:30 - 3 PM., the drop-in workshop is a mommy and me format. This allows parents to help and make appropriate accommodations for kids of all skill levels. Docents are also available to assist

and offer encouragement. “The stories behind the museum’s exhibits are about people who worked really hard and overcame challenges,” Cooperman says of the exhibits’ appeal to those with special needs. September 12, children ages 5 to 12 are welcomed to participate in a watercolor activity, creating a fall foliage painting on absorbent paper. On October 10, the activity will utilize Styrofoam and printing inks to create a printmaking piece. These activities are included with the cost of admission and all materials are provided.

ATHLETIC PERFECTION Athletic Perfection, a competitive program for cheerleading and dance, emerges kids with disabilities into their regular programs. From all-star cheer teams to tumbling classes, young girls are given an opportunity to learn choreography, enhance skills and compete. Participants ages 3 to 18 are welcome to participate and be apart of competitive teams at age 4. Cheerleaders at the gym do not cheer for a team but rather compete in ESPN-style competitions. According to Coach Julie Van Os, Athletic Perfection does not offer any exclusive special needs classes, but children with different needs are welcome to participate in their programs and classes.


PUMP IT UP In addition to fieldtrip outings for kids with physical or mental disabilities, Pump it Up in Tracy is open to kids of all needs. These fieldtrips, often attended by special needs schools, are available to any group of 20 kids or more. Parties include two hours of jumping, pizza and possibly a craft. Open gym time offers inclusion for kids with special needs. “I think it builds their confidence,” Supervisor Alyssa Chao says of the opportunity for kids with special needs to hang out with typical children.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF STOCKTON The Children’s Museum of Stockton offers access to kids with disabilities. Children are invited to play throughout the museum - climbing inside real-life emergency vehicles, playing make believe in the fictional town’s varying businesses and taking advantage of all of the building materials designed to encourage free play. The museum offers an open floor plan with animals to view, science projects to create and memories to be made. There is a reading area for kids to sit quietly and enjoy a book as well as a toddler area for young children to play safely with their peers. The entire format welcomes interactive play between friends and acquaintances, regardless of disabilities. If kids are sensitive to flashing lights, accommodations can be made when the museum is contacted ahead of time. Some equipment may be inaccessible to kids in wheelchairs depending on their vehicles. The museum, however, is wheelchair accessible.

Start Playing!HAGGIN MUSEUM

1201 N. Pershing Ave., Stockton(209) 940-6300, HagginMuseum.org

ATHLETIC PERFECTION CHEER2211 N. MacArthur Dr., Tracy

(209) 834-2727, AthleticPerfectionCheer.com

PUMP IT UP1325 N. MacArthur Dr., Tracy

(209) 833-7867, PumpitupParty.com

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF STOCKTON402 W. Weber Ave., Stockton

(209) 465-4386, ChildrensMuseumStockton.org


IN THE KNOW

SCHEDULING Playtime

THE IMPORTANCE OF FREE PLAY FOR DEVELOPING MINDSBY NORA HESTON TARTE

and tutoring sessions, schedule time for your child to have unscheduled playtime. Despite the absence of caregivers in most occurrences of free play, parents still have a role. Start by making sure there is time for your child to play both creatively and imaginatively. Schedule play dates or set up an outdoor playgroup for kids in the neighborhood. While adults engage each other – and keep a watchful eye on children – kids play together. Here they use props, create make believe scenarios and carry out different roles in their peer group. Interaction with peers develops a child’s social skills. Peer play can also act as a mirror where children learn about themselves through the roles they fall into with children their age – are they a leader, or do they prefer to follow directions?

Parents can participate in free play, too. While the play should be child led, mom can choose the materials while dad picks a venue. A new environment gives children innovative tools and props with which to create new scenarios. When participating in free play with your child, remember to take a step back. Pull out a box of age-appropriate art supplies and let the child suggest what to do with stacks of scratch paper, a hole punch and glitter-glue. They might surprise you.


Between shuffling kids from school to soccer practice and home again to finish a daily dose of homework, playtime is suffering. Sure, children may be playing the piano or playing football, but are they really playing? An increased emphasis on academics may be damaging today’s youth. As schools cut back on recess, parents are following suit with heavily scheduled afternoons and a stressed importance on academic achievement. Perhaps stress is the keyword. The American Academy of Pediatrics attributes a loss of free time and fast-pace lifestyles with contributing to childhood stress, anxiety and, in some cases, depression. While academic achievement is important, there is something to be said for the kid who knows how to play. Success isn’t solely made up of IQ and math skills. Social skills, emotional skills and cognitive abilities are part of the formula, too. Free, unstructured play has been linked to these developments in children. First off, it is important to identify what constitutes free play. In most cases, free play refers to play that is chosen by children, directed by children and not motivated by reward or praise. Scheduled sports and teacher-led pentathlons do not qualify. Free play should be, well, free. Children need to be allowed to pretend. Using their imaginations to redefine the parameters of their world will, in fact, help them academically. Free play can lead to creative problem solving, peer cooperation and risk management as well as other skills that will help them later in life. Free play shouldn’t be what happens when there is time at the end of the day. Instead, free play should be planned. Scheduled free time may seem like a contradictory concept, but it doesn’t lessen its importance. Instead of packing each day full of after-school activities

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SCHEDULING Playtime

THE IMPORTANCE OF FREE PLAY FOR DEVELOPING MINDSBY NORA HESTON TARTE

IN THE KNOW

NICKS, BRUISES &

CONCUSSIONSWHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW


Nearly 4 million sports concussions were reported in 2012, with rising numbers among middle school athletes. And while high school football accounts for 47 percent of all reported sports concussions, it isn’t the only sport putting youth at risk. One in five high school athletes will sustain a sports concussion during the season. After football, boys’ ice hockey, girls’ soccer and boys’ and girls’ lacrosse top the list. Reported concussions doubled between 2002 and 2012, a statistic that raises concern amongst young athletes and their parents. However, it is unclear if part of the rise can be attributed to a larger percentage of concussions being properly identified. As more attention is paid to the issue, athletes and their coaches are taking extra precautions to reduce the number of permanent neurologic disabilities caused by sports concussions. “Childhood concussions do seem to be on the rise for many reasons including larger, faster athletes causing more serious contact events and the rise in popularity of many ‘extreme sports,’ along with a greater awareness of concussions in general,” says Dr. Bradley Reinke, Vice

President of medical affairs, Chief Medical Officer of Dameron Hospital, and a practicing emergency medicine physician. “Media coverage has actually been one of the keys to educating parents about the potentially long-term serious health effects of concussions.” While one concussion can result in a slew of complications, whether or not consciousness is lost, subsequent head injuries prove more problematic. Second and third blows to the head are linked to permanent long-term brain damage and traumatic brain injuries, which an estimated 5.3 million Americans live with daily. “Parents should know that any type of head injury can cause a concussion, not just contact sports. Also, although headaches are a common symptom following a concussion many other symptoms can suggest that a concussion has occurred,” Dr. Reinke shares. Symptoms parents should look for after a head injury are: nausea or vomiting, dizziness or balance problems, double or blurry vision, sensitivity to light and/or noise, feeling dazed or stunned, feeling mentally “foggy,” trouble concentrating or remembering, confusion or forgetfulness surrounding recent events,

trouble answering questions, changes in mood, drowsiness, sleeping more or less than usual and trouble falling asleep. While parents should be aware of this list immediately following a head injury, it is important to remember that concussion symptoms can develop several days after the initial injury, as well. Mirroring efforts in professional football, all 50 states have adopted Return to Play, a removal and clearance system used to better diagnose concussions and prevent further injury. Five-star rating systems have also been adapted to better test and rate football helmets. The simple system makes information more accessible to parents who can then purchase a five-star rated helmet, designed to reduce the instance of concussions, for their child.

ASK A PROFESSIONAL:

DAMERON HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION525 Acacia St., Stockton(209) 944-5550DameronHospital.org

SAN JOAQUIN GENERAL HOSPITAL500 W. Hospital Rd., French Camp(209) 468-6000, SjGeneral.org


We at Bear Creek Aquatics want to introduce everyone to the EXCITING WORLD of swimming and all the cool things you can do, IF you know how to swim. We offer Competitive swim and water polo, Learn to Swim, summer swim lessons, scuba and lifeguard certification, even tips for great a paradise (warm) get-a-way! Bear Creek Aquatics is unique in so much that we recognize children do have other interests. A ridged 5 or 6 day a week single sport program may not fit a family or swimmers schedule, or, the family/child is not sure what sport he or she wants to commit. If this sounds all too familiar, we provide; 2,3,4 or 5 day (including water polo) a week training. Our pricing allows a child to participate in both swim and water polo at no additional cost, and is tailored to reflect the level of commitment the swimmer and family chooses. Our calendar is a year round (10 months) competitive swim and water polo program providing professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities.

Tom Downer, Coach • Bear Creek Aquatics • Stockton • bearcreekaquatics.com • 209.482.1938

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AND PROGRAMS AT WWW.BEARCREEKAQUATICS.COM


Part-Time Mommy’s WA N T E DAD SALES EXECUTIVES WITH BIG SMILES

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ECO-CHIC

Is your baby’s bottom swaddled in cloth diapers? Do you buy plant-based cleaning products for your home? Is your personal motto, “reduce, reuse, recycle?” Whether you’re already a “crunchy” mama who buys eco-friendly products for the family and home, or a first time mom-to-be trying to navigate the vast baby product market, eco-friendly baby rearing is a millennial trend to learn about.

DIAPERS: Every year disposable diapers account for more than 3.5 million tons of trash. Not only are disposables filling landfills but the

chemicals used to make them are dangerous to the environment. The Honest Company and other companies offer non-toxic diapers free of many of the environmentally dangerous chemicals present in most disposables. As an added bonus, that’s less chemical on baby’s skin. Cloth diapering takes it a step further. They are reusable and come in many forms. With a washing machine and brightener-free laundry detergent, the same set of diapers can last from newborn to potty-trained. They are free of chemicals and reduce waste. Not to mention, they will save you years of monthly diaper costs in the future.

PARENTINGBY NORA HESTON TARTE

CLEANING PRODUCTS: Granola moms love to wipe down highchairs and scrub floors with coconut-based cleaning solutions. These environmentally friendly products reduce the chemicals present in the air, soil and water. Limiting or eliminating unwanted chemicals is also safe for the family. Using a plant-based cleaner can help quell fears when baby starts licking the newly mopped floor or bathing in a freshly cleansed tub. This phenomenon extends to personal care products, too. Chemical-free body wash, shampoo, diaper cream and more reduce the presence of skin reactions while also helping the environment stay a clean, renewable place.

HAND-ME-DOWNS: From baby carriers to clothing items, using family-sourced hand-me-downs or purchasing gently-used items from a garage sale or store can help cut down on baby’s carbon footprint. Caterpillar Children’s Boutique offers a variety of products on consignment. “It’s something that is trending in the Bay Area right now,” Owner Lenzi Leonard says of consignment shopping. “San Joaquin County is a little behind the Bay Area as far as trends, but not far.”

TOYS: Remember making toys out of recyclables? Well your rubber-band guitar has come a long way. Toy companies are placing an emphasis on materials. Not only is BPA-free a must for safety reasons, wooden play sets and felt stuffed animals are growing in popularity. Green Toys even makes their colorful products out of recycled milk cartons. Many plastic toys leach hazardous chemicals into the air and water. Supporting all-natural, chemical-free toys lends to a healthy environment.

ORGANIC PRODUCTS: An organic label tends to up the price of just about anything. However, from fruit to cotton, there’s a reason parents buy into the trend. Organic food items nix many chemicals. Even clothing can be purchased organic. Cotton plants are treated with pesticides and herbicides. While baby isn’t eating their blanket, these chemicals are still present on products that interact with baby’s skin. It also introduces these chemicals to the environment.

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CATERPILLAR CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE2018 Pacific Ave., Stockton(209) 487-7102, CaterpillarChildrensBoutique.com

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QUALITY SLEEP

Counting SheepQuality Sleep Should be as Easy as 1-2-3


Hyperactivity, bad moods and trouble learning, concentrating or remembering are all side effects of poor sleep. Sleep surveys, however, have revealed that many kids don’t get enough sleep. Not only does this affect their ability to perform well in school, it can also affect a child’s physical health. Poor sleep has been linked to cardiovascular issues, obesity and diabetes. In fact, some studies support a link between poor sleep and depression. The good news is that parents can help. Setting kids on the right track for achieving quality sleep is as easy as counting sheep. First, familiarize yourself with recommended sleep durations. Experts suggest infants up to two months get 16 to 18 hours of sleep per day, 14 to 16 hours at two to six months old, 13 to15 hours at six to 12 months, 12 to 14 hours at one to three years, 11 to 13 hours at three to five years, 10 to 11 hours at five to 12 years and 8.5 to 9.5 hours at 12 to 18 years. Many parents are unaware of these recommendations and therefore believe their children are getting enough sleep when they are actually missing out on an hour or more. “The prevalence of sleep problems has increased in the last two decades to about a quarter of the children,” says Dr. Surinder

Singh Raron, a pediatrician at Dignity Health Medical Group Stockton. “Preteens and teenagers are getting about an hour less than their optimal duration.” Research also shows that children who do not sleep long enough tend to suffer from other sleep problems. They have a tendency to wake up during the night or change positions a lot, sleeping less soundly than their well-rested peers. Parents can rest assured that their little ones are getting enough shut eye if their kid falls asleep within 20 to 30 minutes of bedtime, wakes up easily and on-time, appears well rested during the day and stays awake during quiet activities. If the child has outgrown regular naptimes, they should also be able to make it through the day without taking a nap. If a parent cannot answer yes to all of these questions then the child is likely suffering from one or more sleep problems. It’s important to have a bedtime routine. Consistency will help children fall asleep easily and stay asleep. In addition, Dr. Raron suggests avoiding visual and auditory distractions an hour before bed. This includes bright lights from a computer, cell phone or other handheld electronic device and music from an mp3

player or radio. It also means cutting video games off at least an hour before bedtime. Next, set a good example. Make sleep a family priority. Parents should adhere to bedtime routines and ensure they are sleeping enough, (seven to eight hours per night). A healthy diet free of caffeine and adequate exercise can help, too. It is also beneficial to remove electronics from bedrooms. Children who have electronic devices in their room get less sleep on average than those who keep their electronics off or out of their bedroom. In fact, those without electronics left on in their bedrooms get more than 30 minutes more sleep each night on average. Parents also reported better sleep quality overall for children who did not have electronics in their rooms.

IF POOR SLEEP DOESN’TIMPROVE,CONSULT A DOCTOR:DIGNITY HEALTHST. JOSEPH'S MEDICAL CENTER3132 W. March Lane #5, Stockton(209) 475-5500, DignityHealthMedicalGroup.org


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KIDS READ

The benefitsof READING:

Fiction vs. Non-fictionBY NORA HESTON TARTE

At age six, most children can read and retell familiar stories as well as sound out words. As first graders, they’ve likely started to write and use punctuation and capitalization, as well. However, what children read is important, too. Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the National Assessment of Educational Progress have outlined specific guidelines

for non-fiction vs. fiction reading. According to both guidelines, children in grades third to fifth should be reading 50 percent literary works and 50 percent informational material. By grade 12, the shift should represent 30 percent fiction reading and 70 percent non-fiction reading. THE BENEFITS OF NON

FICTION READING: Non-fiction works aren’t limited to biographies. Essays, speeches, historic documents and scientific texts all fall under the umbrella of non-fiction reading. It’s also important to note that the 70/30 split doesn’t affect English class solely. Math and science classes also play a large part in upping non-fiction reading requirements. Non-fiction reading is meant to prepare children for life post-high school. Whether a child immediately joins the workforce or enrolls in college, non-fiction reading more accurately represents the reading materials they will be handed in these positions. Non-fiction reading has been associated with bolstering student vocabulary by introducing new words not commonplace in literary works. Non-fiction reading is also credited with introducing new book concepts through the use of charts and diagrams as well as helping children use their creativity and imagination in new ways.


THE BENEFITS OFFICTION READING: The common core shift, however, does not mean that fiction reading is obsolete, or somehow less-than. Reading fiction not only engages children, perhaps more easily than non-fiction reading, studies show children who read fiction reap cognitive benefits, as well. Emotional intelligence and social perception are both boosted through fiction reading. Reading fiction has also been linked to increasing a reader’s empathy. Reading books from an imaginary character’s point of view helps readers put themselves in the protagonist’s shoes. They immediately begin to comprehend the world through someone

else’s eyes, and not someone with a background and history available online. It encourages imagination in a different way than non-fiction. Fiction commonly introduces ambiguity – scenarios where outcomes are not cut and dry. Accepting this sense of uncertainty has been linked to creativity and higher-level thinking.

Encouraging

KIDS TO READ:• Cater to their Interests. A child who rejects reading may simply lack interest in the materials provided. While reading assigned material is important for student success, parents can further encourage reading at home by choosing books that are more likely to strike a chord with their child.

• Put Yourself in the Equation. If your child finds reading alone boring or frustrating, get involved. Snuggle in bed together for a storybook of your child’s choosing or purchase a book on tape to fill the quiet space during a family road trip.

• Create a Reward System. Create a sticker chart or other fun way of tracking reading time. If necessary, use rewards to mark milestones.

• Be Aware. If your child doesn’t like to read, there may be an underlying reason. Check in with children and teachers when necessary.

SAN JOAQUIN PARENTS MAGAZINE 21

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It may seem silly to read to a being who doesn’t understand words, or at least not many. However researchers have stressed the importance of reading from birth. Despite a lacking vocabulary, even infants can benefit from being read to. First 5 California, which focuses on the first five years of a child’s life when 90 percent of their brain is developed, stresses the benefits of reading to young kids. Not only does it start a foundation for learning language, improving listening

skills and strengthening memory, reading introduces concepts babies can understand such as stories, letters, colors and shapes. Reading is also a new opportunity to bond with a small child. Reading at a young age fosters a love for books and learning that will serve them as students and as members of society.


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