Children and Young People

BEE A READER

by Angela Muse

Today I had the privilege of being a reader at a local elementary school. I got to read one of my favorite books, The Bee Bully, and talk to the kids about being an author. The energetic kindergartners made me feel very welcome and I really enjoyed spending some time with them. We talked a little bit about what it means to be a bully and how important reading is.

Three reasons why reading is important to young children:

1). Reading exercises our brains. That’s right, our brains need a workout too. Reading strengthens brain connections and can even create new ones so pick up a book and help your brain exercise.

2). Reading improves concentration. Kids have to focus when they read which can sometimes be a difficult task. The more you read the longer you can extend that concentration time which will continue to improve.

3). Reading helps develop imagination. When you read your brain translates what is read to pictures. Did you know you can create a movie in your head while you read? We become engrossed in the story and we can connect with the characters. We can sympathize with how a character feels and reflect on how we would feel in that same situation.

Now go grab a book and BEE A READER!

The Bee Bully

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Anti Bully Awareness

by Angela Muse

There are lots of schools and organizations focus on anti bullying awareness activities during this time of year. From the United Kingdom to the Unites States we can all agree that bullying in any form is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. I remember seeing kids get picked on and bullied when I was in school. I remember thinking how miserable they must feel to have to deal with that every day, but I didn’t have the courage to get involved and be an advocate for those other kids. It’s never too early to talk to your children about bullying and what kids should do if they see it. Don’t let your children be silent bystanders. Let them know that they can tell the bully to stop and oftentimes that is all that is needed to alter the bully’s behavior.

We can teach our kids to have a different attitude about bullying and really make a difference in another child’s situation. Today our children’s book, The Bee Bully, is being featured on the Kindle Fire Department. I hope you will check it out either in kindle or paperback form and have a conversation with your kids about what bullying means and what steps they should take to stop it in it’s tracks.