A recent article, Social and Emotional Skills Help Children Succeed in School, on MissouriFamilies.org pointed out that children’s books can be a great way to help children learn about expressing their feelings and “reading” the feelings of others.  As children head off to school this month, it’s a great time to remember that reading to a child does not need to stop just because the child is in school (and maybe even reading on his/her own.)  Children benefit in so many ways from hearing stories.  This article was a good reminder that books and stories can help a child develop appropriate social behaviors.  When a parent talks with a child about a story character’s feelings and behavior, it’s a valuable learning experience for the child.  Books help children develop empathy and problem solving skills. They help a child explore emotions in a non-threatening way.

Just another great reason to “read from the start” with your child!

Welcome to the Missouri Humanities Council’s Family Reading Blog!

To kick off a new year of encouraging parents and caregivers to read to their young children, MHC and St. Louis Community College are partnering  to provide special one-session READ from the START programs at the community college campuses.  The programs are 3 hours long and participants will explore a variety of children’s literature.  In addition to learning fun things to do with books, participants will also receive a set of children’s books to keep and use with their families or children in their care.  For more information please visit St. Louis Community College’s website and look for the classes called CHILD CARE PROVIDERS: HELP YOUR CHILDREN ENTER THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF BOOKS.   Or visit the MHC website calendar for dates and locations.

Please check back soon for updated content!